Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga has unfurled a multifaceted strategy to bolster his fortunes in all-important Mt Kenya.
The ODM leader will personally take charge of his campaigns.
Raila's think tank hopes the new cascaded campaign will inject the much-needed momentum to his State House push.
Raila's team has been fearful his campaigns were sluggish in the President's backyard because of concerns from aspirants who lacked clear direction and coordination to inspire them.
The President's allies from the region, including Jubilee stalwarts, had been left to market Raila without clear marching orders.
It has emerged that Raila next week will launch his presidential manifesto — an election blueprint that will anchor his key campaign promises and agenda.
The Star has established that Raila and his team are planning a rigorous do-or-die campaign in the 10 Mt Kenya counties in the 90 days.
His presidential adversary, Deputy President William Ruto, is considered to have a strong grip on the Mountain.
The plan is to diminish Deputy President William Ruto's image and influence in the region, while ring fencing Raila's own bastions.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is at daggers drawn with Ruto, is expected to join the campaign train.
In the new plan, Raila is going flat out to directly engage Jubilee aspirants and their lieutenants for seats across Mt Kenya counties.
The aspirants will be Azimio pillars of Raila's presidential campaigns at the grassroots.
"These leaders [aspirants] will be able to cascade the message down to the people,"Kieni MP Kanini Kega told the Star.
Raila has also tailored his messaging to resonate with the region's needs and fears, reassuring them of economic bliss if he is elected. This contrasts with the Jubilee narrative in the past that Raila would ruin the region.
The Azimio presidential candidate has in the last week vigorously campaigned in Kiambu, Nyeri, Murang'a, Kirinyaga and Laikipia counties.
He is set to tour Nyandarua and Nakuru between Thursday and Friday where he will meet and greet aspirants, their lieutenants and supporters.
“You are my foot soldiers. I have come here alone without any ODM member because I am the Azimo La Umoja One Kenya presidential candidate. When you see Baba (Raila) you see President Uhuru Kenyatta,” Raila said.
The ODM boss told Jubilee aspirants from Nyeri county on Wednesday he believes in their capacity to drive his campaigns.
Raila ordered a proper coordination channel be established between grassroots aspirants and his presidential campaign team to build synergy.
“I have since directed that we get ward, constituency and county campaign committees and sync them with the presidential campaign secretariat,” Raila said.
Raila has in the last seven days pitched tent in Mt Kenya counties, holding meetings with aspirants and opinion leaders as he seeks to mesh his presidential campaigns with Jubilee structures.
Jubilee was ODM's rival in 2017 and therefore ran parallel structures that could prove costly if not harmonised with Raila's grassroots networks.
During the meetings, the ODM boss sought to reassure Jubilee aspirants across the region that he will reward them handsomely should they lose elections while fighting for his presidency.
“The world will not end with this election. After it is done, we will have a government and you will get something in it,” Raila told aspirants from Kirinyaga on Tuesday.
He has been asking Jubilee aspirants in the region to also step up marketing him at the grassroots, including branding their merchandise with his pictures.
Aspirants from Mt Kenya reportedly had shunned Raila's campaigns and instead decided to package themselves as Jubilee Party candidates only.
Those who have shown commitment will get lots of ammo from me. Do not have any doubts about that
However, determined to change the script, Raila has decided to woo the aspirants with a raft of incentives, including campaign resources, as his battle with Ruto enters the homestretch.
On Wednesday, Raila who met aspirants from Murang'a county at Thika Green Hotel, acknowledged the challenges Mt Kenya aspirants are facing.
"Those who have shown commitment will get lots of ammo from me. Do not have any doubts about that,” Raila told the aspirants who complained of lack of campaign support.
Gatanga MP Nduati Ngugi had raised a concern that the Azimio supporters in Mt Kenya had “run out of ammunition and that is why we appear to have taken cover to a point we are said to be retreating".
However, those who will benefit will have to first offer evidence they are committed to the cause.
Raila's town hall meetings, dominated by opinion leaders, are seen as part of an elaborate strategy to boost his election chances.
Raila has moved to reassure the Jubilee foot soldiers that he will walk with them every step of the way, well knowing they are facing a strong opponent.
The ODM boss next week will unveil his manifesto.
The secretariat team will draw in experts to inform Kenyans on its contents and significance during meetings across the country, Raila said.
The President's men are taking to the front line to be part of Raila's charge in Mt Kenya, less than 100 days to the polls.
The President has declared 'Raila Tosha' and I repeat the same, 'Raila Tosha'
There are indications, however, the President who was expected to come out sooner to join Raila on the campaign trail in his backyard might delay his entry further.
Some of the CSs and PSs already have hit the road.
Mutahi Kagwe (Health), Joe Mucheru (ICT), and powerful Interior PS Karanja Kibicho have been attending Raila's campaign meetings, promising to stop at nothing to deliver victory.
"The President has declared 'Raila Tosha' and I repeat the same, 'Raila Tosha'," Kagwe said in Nyeri on Wednesday.
Mucheru said they will mount aggressive campaigns to market Raila across the country.
“We are following our leader (Uhuru). I have no hesitation in supporting Raila and the Azimio candidature. We assure you Baba (Raila)," he said.
(Edited by V. Graham)
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