Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has been fronted as the ODM party presidential candidate in the August 9, elections.
ODM National Executive Committee made the announcement after a meeting held at Chungwa House, Nairobi, on Thursday.
The NEC at the same time approved the party’s desire to join the Azimio La Umoja coalition.
“That it be proposed to the NGC to ratify the decision by NEC that the Orange Democratic Movement formally joins the Azimio la Umoja coalition/ coalition party,” ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said in a statement.
“That further the NGC/NDC of the party do propose the Right Hon. Raila Odinga as the presidential candidate for the Azimio la Umoja coalition /party.”
The move deals a blow to businessman Jimi Wanjigi who has been seeking the ODM ticket for his presidential bid.
Wanjigi had moved to court to block the ODM NDC scheduled for Friday and Saturday after the nomination of the presidential candidate failed to appear among the list of the agenda.
The businessman wanted the party to include the election of the presidential candidate in the agenda so that he can face off with Raila for the ODM ticket.
The court, however, declined to suspend the ODM NDC.
The same NEC meeting saw the postponement of elections of national officials citing the Covid-19 pandemic.
“That in light of the challenges of the past 2 years brought about by the Covid pandemic, it is proposed to the NGC/NDC to defer Elections of National officials to sometime next year and harmonization be done to fill vacancies in the NEC for the time being,” Sifuna said. BY THE STAR