Kenya: Opposition alliance nominates Odinga to run against Kenyatta in Aug. 2 elections

Veteran politician and former prime minister, Raila Odinga will represent Kenya’s opposition alliance in the presidential election in August – his 4th time as a presidential candidate.
His nomination was announced by leaders of the National Super Alliance, known by its acronym NASA, to cheering supporters at a rally on Thursday.

In an acceptance speech, Odinga, pledged to lower food prices and tackle corruption. He has also promised public sector reforms and stronger local government.
He will try to unseat incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is seeking a second and final term.

Kenyans go to the polls on August 8 to elect a president, lawmakers and local officials. Devolution means that many of the local races to control lucrative county budgets are expected to be closely contested.

Odinga served as prime minister of Kenya from 2008-2012 during the presidency of Mwai Kibaki.
He (Odinga) identifies as a left-winger and named his first son Fidel, after Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

Kenya replaced the entire board of the election commission late last year after the widespread failure of electronic voting equipment in 2013.

Odinga’s vice-presidential pick, is Kalonzo Musyoka, a softly-spoken lawyer who frequently refers to his born-again Christian faith and has been relatively untainted by Kenya’s past corruption scandals. He is 63 and has served in past cabinets and in the country’s parliament.

Source: Reuters