Raila pledges to seal corruption loopholes if elected president
ODM leader Raila Odinga yesterday held a series of meetings with various groups of leaders, party officials, elders and teachers representatives from Kakamega, Bungom and Vihiga counties to drum up support for his presidential campaign.
Raila who spent Saturday night at the home of Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya in Butere where he met various groups before addressing rallies in Shiatsala and Sabatia markets.
He promised to fight corruption, saying it was a cancer that has affected the country for a long time.
“I spent m y night in Butere so that I can meet and talk with my people as I start my journey of Azimio La Umoja that will bring the third and final liberation,” he said.
He said 60 years since the country attained independence, it was still struggling with the three challenges that were identified by the freedom fighters - poverty, ignorance and hunger.
The opposition leader said having served in the grand coalition government as the Prime Minister with retired President Mwai Kibaki, he understands well how the government generates revenue.
“The greatest problem biting the stability of our
economy is corruption. But I will seal all loopholes so that all government money can benefit all Kenyans,” he said in Sabatia.
He said once corruption is contained, the country’s economy will be stable and this is where he will generate money to give Ksh 6,000 to each vulnerable family as a social protection fund.
Dismissing Deputy President William Ruto’s bottom - up economic model, Raila promised to introduce the “Uchumi Mashinani” programme that will empower local traders, youth and women to become self-reliant.
Raila was accompanied by MPs Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani), Jeremiah Kioni (Ndaragua), Kizito Mugali (Shinyalu), Junet Mohammed (Suna East), Raphael Wanjala (Budalang’i), Elsie Muhanda (Kakamega Woman MP) and Nominated Senator Naomi Shiyonga.
Earlier, Raila was given a grand welcome when he launched his Azimio La Umoja campaigns in Trans Nzoia.
Raila started his public rally at Sibanga trading centre in Cherangany where a substantive crowd welcomed him.
The ODM leader held a brief meeting with local leaders.
At Sibanga, Raila promised equal education opportunities to the poor children right from primary to university level, arguing this will help
unprivileged families tackle poverty.
