Laikipia County Governor and former President Mwai Kibaki’s nephew Ndiritu Muriithi has led Mt Kenya business tycoons in endorsing ODM leader Raila Odinga’s 2022 presidential bid.
While addressing business moguls from Mt Kenya at Safari Park hotel in Nairobi during a luncheon in honour of Raila, Ndiritu reminded the people that it was the ODM leader’s famous call of “Kibaki tosha” (Kibaki is enough) that tilted the winning scales in 2002 Presidential elections.
On same breath, Ndiritu posed the question to the participants brought together by Mt Kenya Foundation (MKF) and who roared back “Raila Tosha” (Raila is enough).
Leader after leader praised Raila for the sacrifices that he has made over the years on behalf of the country with the recent one being the handshake with President Uhuru which is credited for bringing peace and stability to the country.
The endorsement came a day after Raila made a successful tour of Mt Kenya region from Nanyuki making stop –overs in Naromoru, Chaka and Karatina in Nyeri, Kibingoti and Makutano in Kirinyaga, Kenol in Murang’a, Witeithie in Kiambu culminating in a major rally in Githurai attended by thousands of people.
Kieni MP Kanini Kega captured how the dramatic tour happened when he said he was the only MP in Naromoru but by the time they were getting to Githurai, they were eight and on Tuesday they were thirteen.
He said the support for Raila was growing during the day and said by the time he made a second tour of the region his support will have grown dramatically.
The chairman of MKF and founder of Equity Bank Peter Munga told Raila that he does not need to go looking for followers but his inspiration will simply draw them to him.
“That is what happened when you climbed the mountain on Monday. Our people want a leader who will inspire them, not one who will come looking for them,’’ said Munga.
MKF deputy chairman Titus Ibui said Mt Kenya region is looking for a leader who will continue with the current development momentum that has been set by President Uhuru and a leader who will not interfere with businesses.
Kiambu County governor Dr James Nyoro said in terms of development, President Uhuru has already developed the hardware and for Raila it will be to develop the software.
When he rose to speak, Raila said he was pro-business and gave example of how he started his businesses saying he would ensure that the right to own property and live anywhere in the country will be protected.
Touching on the chaos in Ol Moran, Laikipia County, and Raila said it was very primitive behavior that has no place in a modern state – saying maintenance of peace and law and order would be a top priority.
Royal Media Services chairman SK Macharia narrated the humbling journey of his life including how he went to America by bus spending 9 months on the road.
He defended the founding president Jomo Kenyatta saying they never stole any land as the tanga tanga group has been alleging saying he was the one in-charge of transferring land from the White Settlers to Kenyans.
Macharia said the biggest problem in Kenya was corruption and asked Raila to end the vice when he ascends to the presidency.
