Is Raila Odinga the defacto Prime Minister of Kenya?

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. [Photo/File]

A closer look at the grandeur and pomp that graces events attended by ODM Party leader Raila Odinga leaves many questioning where the former Prime Minister could indeed be the defacto Prime Minister ahead of the latest BBI politics.

Flashback less than 3 years ago, Odinga was involved in a nasty battle with security officials as his supporters were engaged in demonstrations but now he appears to enjoy the kind of state power usually reserved for top government officials.

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Every meeting that Odinga attends now portrays a picture of a stateman at the centre of power and influence.

Over the weekend at BuKhungu Stadium during the BBI meeting, Odinga was escorted by complete security with chase cars and sirens and a 50-metre red carpet received him when he stepped out.

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The same top-level security and privileges were also witnessed when Internal Security Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i hosted the former Prime Minister in Kisii for the Nyanza region BBI summit

Political pundits have opined that President Uhuru Kenyatta could be grooming Odinga for high profile political seat barely 19 months into the handshake.

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However, there are those of a contrary opinion claiming that Uhuru could merely be using Odinga to manage the politics of the moment.