Raila hosts Murang’a elders at his Opoda home in Bondo

ODM leader Raila Odinga at his Opoda home where he hosted Murang’a elders.

Members of the Council of Eminent Persons in Muran'ga are currently meeting the ODM leader Raila Odinga at his home in Opoda farm, Bondo.

Raila Odinga, Oburu Oginga and James Orengo hosted the delegation led by SK Macharia, council chairman Joe Kibe, secretary Dr Nyamu Njoka and bishop Gideon Mithiga.

The elders, led by chairman Kibe, on Saturday said they have come to pay a special visit to the former Prime Minister.

"As elders, there's a special ceremony that we usually perform to a fellow elder especially when he/she is recuperating from sickness," said Kibe.

He said they are going to slaughter a goat and drink the soup as part of the ceremony.

ODM leader Raila Odinga when he hosted Murang'a elders at his Opoda home on December 19, 2020. [Isaiah Gwengi, Standard]

With less than 20 months to the end of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s final term, a battle for the soul of his Mount Kenya stronghold has begun in earnest.

And  is upping his ante for the vote-rich region.

In the 2013 elections and twice in 2017, the region voted for President Kenyatta to the last man after they did so for his predecessor Mwai Kibaki in 2002 and 2007 elections.

Today, there is palpable anxiety in a region that has produced three heads of state since independence, but is politically at a crossroads and caught without an heir apparent after the exit of Uhuru in August 2022.

The region has now become a rich hunting ground for politicians with presidential ambitions.

Unlike in the past where a strong heir would hang around bidding their time, the region now has to endear political suitors outside Gema communities.

Deputy President William Ruto enjoys a big following among residents in Mt Kenya after working closely with Uhuru in the last two terms.

The people of the mountain in October reunited with their brothers from the lake in an event that saw elders seek to mend bridges broken between the nation’s founding fathers, Jomo Kenyatta and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

The final destination of the 300 elders, women and youth from the Agikuyu community was Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Jaramogi’s final resting place, in Bondo, Siaya County.

Their host, Raila, arrived in the company of Agikuyu Council of Elders chairman Wachira Kiago, MPs, governors and senators. Prayers were led by Bondo Diocese Bishop David Kodia and Bishop Ogonyo Ngede.

Although Raila avoided politics in his address, speakers from Mt Kenya appeared keen to push for a truce that would see the region back the former premier for the top seat in 2022.