There is No 2022 Deal between President Uhuru and Raila, ODM Says

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has dismissed Siaya Senator James Orengo's claim that President Kenyatta and Raila Odinga have a deal for 2022 election.

Through its Chairman John Mbadi, the party has denied reports that Kenyatta and Odinga have an agreement to form a political alliance for the 2022 election.

On Thursday, the Standard Newspaper quoted Orengo — a close confidant of Odinga — saying that Kenyatta and the opposition leader have agreed to team up in the next elections.

“ODM is going for political power, and when we are holding these meetings our eyes are set on 2022. The contestation for power is going to come from a formation with ODM in it and formation of Jubilee where Uhuru Kenyatta is playing a role,” Orengo is quoted as saying.

Speaking during a press briefing at Parliament buildings, Mbadi has trashed Orengo’s sentiments, stating that ODM has not struck any political agreement for 2022 election.

“It is not in doubt that as a party we will participate in the 2022 elections. As to who will be our competitors we still don’t know. As to who we will work with in terms of alliances we still don’t know,” Mbadi says.

He adds: “So it is premature and too early for anybody to purport to be speaking for ODM and implying that ODM has already entered into any arrangement with any party or individual.”

Political pundits have predicted that Kenyatta and Odinga may work together in the next election following their handshake last year, which has seen their relationship blossom in the past few months.

The bromance between Odinga and Kenyatta after the handshake has often unsettled Deputy President William Ruto's camp.