A 22-year-old man has thanked Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga for his belief in the youth after Raila attended his birthday and gifted him a cow in September 2021.
Introduced as Gidi to Raila at Mount Kenya University by Kiambu governor James Nyoro, just before the main Azimio la Umoja rally in Thika, Gideon Gitonga said he sent the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader a text message inviting him to his birthday.
“It was my birthday on September 4 nikachukua simu nikamwandikia baba ujumbe. Akaniambia alikuwa Zambia na wakati alitoka huko alinipigia simu akaniambia here I am, unataka aje? Nikamwambia, your execellency I would want you to grace my ocassion akaniuliza, ‘how old are you?’ Nikamwambia 22. Akaniambia you are very youthful. Thank you baba for believing in the youth,” Gidi said.
The young man further heaped praises on Raila, stating that he has learned a few important things about him during the short time he spent with Raila.
“Hii wakati fupi nimekaa na baba I have learned a few things about him. He is this leader who listens. He is this leader who can transform. Wakati alikuja alinipea ng’ombe. Hiyo ngombe ilikuwa imebakisha miezi tatu izae. Na n first of January 2022 iyo ng’ombe ilizaa na ndama yake tukaiita Azimio,” Gidi said.
The function was meant to have delegates present a list of issues they would want Raila to look into if he is elected president come August.
Speaking to the press, governor Nyoro said that Raila was meeting opinion leaders from Mount Kenya region who he is wooing to be his ambassadors.
“We will present him with a memorandum of the issues and the expectations that we would want him to take care of when he is elected president. After this, Odinga will proceed to Thika stadium where we expect a big crowd from Kiambu and Murang’a to welcome him,” Nyoro told K24 Digital.
The main event, according to the county boss will start at exactly 2:00 pm at Thika Stadium.
Nyoro said that police have done enough surveillance to ensure the rally runs smoothly.