Raila woos Turkana, pledges to set up irrigation schemes
Azimio-One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga yesterday took his vote hunting mission to Turkana county where he hit out at United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate William Ruto who he accused him of making empty promises to the region.
Raila called on the pastoralist community to support his presidential bid saying that he is the only one with their interests at heart.
“Vote wisely on August 9. An Azimio government is the only one which will address many problems facing this region,” he said during a rally at Morulem in Turkana East.
He said his administration will open up the region by setting up mega irrigation projects to tackle perennial hunger.
“We will also come up with a livestock insurance scheme to cushion farmers against losses occasioned by drought. We will set up a mega abattoir in Lodwar where value addition for livestock products will be done for farmers to reap fully from the livestock sector,” the former premier further said.
Affordable healthcare
He also addressed rallies at Kalemungorok in Turkana South, Lodwar in Turkana Central and Kakuma in Turkana West where he urged residents to elect candidates for various seats vying on an Azimio-One Kenya Alliance ticket.
Azimio presidential candidate said his administration will offer free education from primary school to university level when they ascend to power.
“We will also make sure that all Kenyans access affordable healthcare through the ‘Baba Care’ health insurance scheme and ensure we employ more health personnel and set up more health facilities,” he stated.
He assured Turkana people that his administration will ensure that the region reaps fully from natural resources within their locality including oil and the LAPSSET programme.
Tackle insecurity
Raila pledged to tackle runaway insecurity in the region if elected into office on August 9.
“A few people cannot continue terrorising innocent civilians in the name of cattle rustling. My government will carry out a massive disarmament exercise to seize all illegal firearms in the wrong hands,” the ODM party leader added.
He was accompanied by Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth, Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli among others.
Former Petroleum and Mining Cabinet Secretary John Munyes, who is seeking to succeed Governor Josphat Nanok on a Jubilee Party ticket, said the region was endowed with many resources but cited insecurity as a major challenge.
He assured Raila that the county was solidly behind him and dismissed claims that Kenya Kwanza Alliance was making inroads in the area.
The team toured the region last week where they dished out a lot of goodies to the pastoralist community and promised more if he ascends to the presidency.
