By SHAMALA DAUCLAS
After a three-week hiatus from the public scene triggered a positive test for Covid-19, ODM leader Raila Odinga finally popped up to the great delight of his legion of fans. Baba’s return to the scene, however, occurred in a manner that got his fans wondering than celebrating! First, RAO announced his return with an official confirmation that he will be gunning for the presidency in the 2022 General Elections.

The party’s elections boss revealed that the Orange boss submitted his papers for ODM’s presidential nomination. Many expected pomp and colour to define such an event! There was none! Tinga will be gunning for the party’s ticket against his two deputies; Wycliffe Oparanya and Hassan Joho.
Has the former Prime Minister not been cagey with his presidential plan in what many in his camp interpreted as his secret 2022 card? The African Union (AU) Special Envoy for Infrastructure Development pops up at a time when there are jitters from the ODM corner defined by claims of frustration of the Handshake – the pet project of Mr Odinga and his ally President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The image on Thursday of a visibly weary Odinga struggling to speak in a hoarse stuttering voice besides the Head of State left a bitter taste in the mouths of many of his followers. Did Baba really have to sacrifice his health to pull off the PR stunt? Designed to reassure many of the solidity of the Handshake, the show revealed another side of Odinga that many haven’t known: desperate for attention! Maybe.
Has Agwambo run out of options? The man who used to dictate the country’s political script is now given a tune to dance to. Really? What is cooking in Baba’s kitchen?
Shamala Dauclas is the Chairman, Kenya Youth Alliance.
The views expressed in this article belong to Shamala Dauclas and do not necessarily reflect Sichwa New’s editorial stance.