Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has endorsed his former archrival for the country’s top job, just weeks after their parties allied ahead of the August presidential and parliamentary elections.
“Without any opposition, we have chosen Raila Odinga to be Kenya’s fifth president,” Kenyatta told a cheering crowd of thousands in the capital Nairobi.
The announcement brings together two of Kenya’s most powerful political dynasties, who have a long history of voting against each other.
However, Kenyatta and Odinga stunned the country in 2018 when they shook hands and declared a truce following post-election violence in 2017 that killed dozens of people.
Kenyatta’s Jubilee party announced last month that it would join Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja (Quest for Unity) coalition.
Kenyatta declared his support for the veteran opposition leader on Saturday, saying, “We have no doubt that we have a team captain in Raila Amolo Odinga.”
Odinga, 77, responded, saying the pair’s transformation from bitter electoral rivals to political partners was “the most unlikely in our country’s history.”
“I accept the nomination with gratitude and devotion to our people,” he added.
Later that day, at a rally, the duo, both wearing matching blue caps, danced to Odinga’s song, “Leo ni leo.” “Inawezekana” means “Today is the day. It is conceivable).
The announcement came after Kenyatta’s previously appointed successor, William Ruto, who also plans to run for president, was fired from Jubilee.
Ruto, 54, was initially designated as Kenyatta’s successor, but he was sidelined following the president’s 2018 agreement with his former foe.
Ruto has positioned himself as a leader seeking to upend the status quo and advocate for “hustlers” struggling to survive in a country ruled by “dynasties” – a reference to the Kenyatta and Odinga families, who have dominated politics for decades.
During a recent visit to the United States, Ruto stated, “The biggest issue on the ballot is our nation’s democracy and whether we truly have the opportunity to make free choices free of blackmail, threats, and intimidation.”
“The only concern that many Kenyans have is the intrusion of agencies attempting to manipulate decisions made by people at various levels.”
Kenyatta and Ruto had both been charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court for their alleged roles in orchestrating post-election violence in 2007 that claimed over 1,100 lives.
The cases were later dropped, with former ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda claiming that a constant campaign of victim and witness intimidation made a trial impossible.
Kenyatta and Odinga’s reforms proposed expanding the executive and parliament to more evenly distribute the spoils of victory.
However, critics saw them as a way for Kenyatta – a two-term president who cannot run again – to stay in power by establishing the post of prime minister.
The government has filed an appeal against a court ruling that rejected the proposals, and Kenyatta may be sued in civil court for initiating the process.
