Thousands flock Kasarani as early as 3am to witness Raila’s big day

• Dec 10, 2021

Hundreds of invited guests began arriving at the Kasarani Stadium as early as 3 a.m. on Friday, braving the rain to attend Raila Odinga's Azimio La Umoja event.

The former Prime Minister will address a crowd of 60,000 at the stadium, where he is expected to make a declaration on his fifth attempt at the Kenyan presidency.

As guests began to arrive on Friday morning, traffic began to build on Thika Road, and the stadium was already filling up by 7.30 a.m.

Hundreds of ODM supporters, the majority of whom were dressed in orange, were dancing outside the stadium in anticipation of the event.

Guests were screened at the gates from around 6 a.m. according to the schedule. 

The event is expected to start with performances by an invited retinue of entertainers.

The ODM leader will arrive at the venue at around 11.30.  At 11.45, the National Anthem will be sung, followed by prayers. 

A documentary about Raila will be shown to the guests at approximately 11.15 p.m. It is expected to run till 12.15. 

From around 12.15 to 13.35, there will be introductions and recognition of dignitaries, after which the artists will perform again until 13.40.

According to the days program, from around 1.40pm to 2.15, the speeches will begin. 

The ODM leader is expected to make an announcement on the 2022 Presidential Election as the race to succeed President Kenyatta whose tenure  lapses next year hots up.

Raila's presidential campaign began in 1997, when he finished third behind then-President Daniel Moi and Democratic Party Candidate Mwai Kibaki.

But it is his bids in 2007, 2013 and 2017 that define Raila's so near, yet so far tale of his State House dream,  characterized by claims of rigging, and a nullification of the poll results in 2017.