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A fifth stab at presidency? Raila in 2022 State House race

The 76-year-old, a former prime minister, has run unsuccessfully for president four times.

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by NANCY AGUTU AND LUKE AWICH

News01 April 2021 - 09:25
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In Summary


•The Orange Democratic Party received nomination of three candidates who wish to unseat President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022.

•This followed a request by some of the interested candidates, the deadline for submission of application was extended to March 31,2021.

ODM leader Raila Odinga with party members James Orengo, Edwin Sifuna, Timothy Bosire, Gladys Wanga, John Mbadi and Junet Mohamed on Wednesday March 31, 2021. Image: HANDOUT

ODM party leader Raila Odinga could be on the ballot as a presidential candidate in 2022.

The 76-year-old, a former prime minister, has run unsuccessfully for president four times -1997, 2007, 2013 and 2017- polls. 

The Orange Democratic Party, by Wednesday's deadline, had received nomination papers from three candidates who wish to unseat President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022.

They are Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, Kakamega's Wycliffe Oparanya and Raila.

Both Joho and Oparanya are close confidants of the ODM supremo and joint deputy party leaders.

Elections board chairperson Catherine Mumma said the NEB shall scrutinize the three applications.

"They will be vetted as required by the ODM Elections and Nomination Rules and subsequent thereto announce the next processes and time table in accordance with the ODM Constitution," Mumma said.

ODM Constitution requires aspirants for the top seat be a Kenyan citizen, registered voter and life member of the party.

The aspirant must also pay Sh1 million non-refundable registration fee and must be a holder of a degree from a recognised university.

“Sequent thereto announce the next processes and time table in accordance with the ODM Constitution,” Mumma added.

Some 3,954 delegates drawn from the sub-branches (constituencies) and branches (counties) will take a vote to elect the ODM presidential candidate next year.

Each of the 290 constituencies, according to the ODM constitution, is represented by eight delegates, with at least three of them being women, while every county sends to the NDC 20 delegates.

Raila who has been unsuccessful in his quest to the presidency.

In 2007, he ran against Mwai Kibaki in 2007.

He lost in a controversial election that led to over 1,000 deaths following post-election violence.

Raila later entered a coalition government becoming the Prime Minister.

In 2013, he ran against Uhuru Kenyatta and lost amid rigging claims. He ran again in 2017 and lost amid rigging claims.

The Supreme Court annulled the results over irregularities.

Later Raila withdrew from the rerun, citing lack of faith in credible polls.


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