Opposition chief Raila Odinga on Thursday held talks with Jubilee Governor Ali Roba of Mandera County in what is seen as a drive to woo allies of Deputy President William Ruto.
Governor Roba has been a staunch supporter of DP Ruto and a key Jubilee pointman in northern Kenya.
“Today I met the right Honorable Raila Odinga and Senator James Orengo for a consultative meeting on a number of issues including a continued partnership in politics. I also sought his advice on a number of other issues relating to governance and networking,” said the Mandera County boss after the meeting.
Roba is the only northeastern Kenya governor who was re-elected in the 2017 General Election.
The governor’s meeting with Raila comes hot on the heels of key capture of another Ruto allay this week.
On Tuesday, the vocal Laikipia Woman Representative Catherine Waruguru met with Raila at his Capitol Hill offices.
Speaking after the meeting, Waruguru committed to working with Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta on critical national issues, specifically constitutional reforms and ensuring the unity of the nation.
“The second-term governor, who is hailed for transforming health and infrastructure sectors in Mandera and battling Al-Shabaab, is keen on getting a major post in next government if the Building Bridges Initiative sails through and Executive is expanded,” a source close to the governor said.
