I’m not State project! Raila says Uhuru amused at claims

 

ODM leader Raila Odinga has laughed off assertions that he is a state project saying the claims have equally amused President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The former Prime Minister said there was no way he could be someone’s project, let alone the state, owing to his history in Kenyan politics.

Speaking to Ukambani vernacular radio stations, Raila, who is gearing for a fifth stab at the presidency, said he can't be counted as a project, yet he is not officially in the race.

“Can I be someone’s project? I laugh off these. Uhuru is also laughing when he hears that I am being branded project. I am Kenyans’ project,” he said on Thursday.

Raila maintained that he was his own man and that his desire for now is to unite Kenyans.

He further dismissed claims of forces keen on the succession coercing the One Kenya Alliance leaders to back him.

“I have heard of people speaking of phone calls. I have not been called. There is no time we have sat and coerced to support another,” he said.

The ODM chief said there was no way OKA leaders, whom he says have their own plans, could be forced to back him before he declares his candidature.

“I have not announced I am vying. When I decide to vie, it will be known. Our friends have their plan and programmes. We can’t say how it must be done but we are ready to work with them,” the former PM said.

In October, Deputy President William Ruto branded Raila a project of the state, saying that the 2022 General Elections will be between the hustler nation and the project of the system.

Leaders allied to the DP have since been calling the ODM leader a project of the state.    BY DAILY NATION