Azimio vows to solve Rift farmers’ woes
The Azimio-One Kenya brigade yesterday raided Deputy President William Ruto’s North Rift backyard where he hit at United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leader for failing to address many problems bedevilling the region despite being the second-in-command.
The alliance’s presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua landed in Eldoret, which is the DP’s backyard in style, where they brought business to a standstill as their convoy snaked its way into the historic Huruma grounds for a rally.
Raila wondered why the DP was now pledging to come up with a fertilizer subsidy programme if he is elected president yet he has been in government for the past 10 years.
“Farmers are a disillusioned lot in this region because of poor maize prices and high cost of production. When we take over, this will be a thing of the past as we will ensure we come up with a subsidy programme which will see fertilizer prices retail at Sh2,000 down from the current Sh7,000,” Raila said in Nandi Hills.
He said his administration will come up with a comprehensive programe in the distribution of fertilizer which will see cartels who have infiltrated the sector removed.
The former premier said he will also come up with a social protection programme which will see every needy family and single mothers get Sh6,000 every month.
He reiterated that Ruto’s running Rigathi Gachagua should be disqualified after he was found culpable for obtaining Sh200 million through dubious means.
“He is a convicted criminal. He has said that he will appeal, but as it stands, he stands convicted,” said Raila, who launched the Eldoret Filimbi Movement.
“We are at cross roads. It’s up to you to make the right choice at the ballot. If you want revolution, chose Azimio-One Kenya government,” he added .
He hit out at Deputy President William Ruto for failure to account for the millions of funds he dishes out to churches every week and vowed to tackle graft if elected to power. Raila first addressed a political rally in Nandi Hills before moving to Eldoret town in the neighouring Uasin-Gishu county where the Azimio brigade addressed a mega rally at the historic Huruma grounds.
Political changes
Karua told Kenya Kwanza not to panic noting that their welfare will be well taken care of by an Azimio government adding that it was time for Raila to lead the country arguing that DP Ruto has time to succeed him in future.
Campaigning in Nyamira, Wiper Democratic party leader Kalonzo Musyoka asked the Abagusii community to be part of the next government by voting Raila.
Kalonzo noted that the Kisii community has always been in any government formed and said that the only political mistake they can make this time was to vote for Ruto who, he claimed, cannot win the seat and form the next government. He said that Raila was the only person who can bring meaningful economic and political changes, accusing Ruto of chest-thumping.
