Raila takes ‘Azimio la Umoja’ campaign to Turkana county
Opposition leader Raila Odinga took his ‘Azimio la Umoja’ campaign to Turkana, the doorstep of his friend-turned-foe and former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) deputy chair Josphat Nanok.
Raila told the Turkana residents time had come for them to cross-river Jordan and enter Canaan, in an apparent reference to his journey to the State House.
“We should walk together as all Kenyans and go to Canaan. I have climbed the mountain and seen the land and have come to take you with me,” Raila told the residents.
Addressing delegates in Lodwar yesterday, Raila who has been criss-crossing the country with his unity clarion call urged the his supporters to register as votes, even as he mediated a truce between Petroleum Cabinet Secretary John Munyes and Loima lawmaker Jeremiah Lomorukai.
Calling for unity and peaceful coexistence between the leaders, Raila cautioned that despite the differences of the politicians eyeing different positions, they should agree amongst themselves.
“We do not want a war that will divide us. We will not want a nomination exercise that will leave people divided.
We sit down and agree on those who want to vie for National Assembly seats, Senate, Women Reps, MCAs and even governors. At the end of the day, only one person per seat will be elected and serve at a time,” he said.
Tight contest
Lomorukai and Munyes have embroiled in a tight political contest to succeed Nanok as the governor in the August 9, 2022 polls.
Lomorukai an ardent supporter of Raila, asked the ODM boss to consider nominating Munyes for the position of the National Treasury CS should he become the president.
“Munyes is an executive person. The former Prime Minister, kindly consider appointing him as the next National Treasury Cabinet Secretary when you become the president,” said Lomorukai.
Munyes on his part there are no political differences with Lomorukai, adding he was ready sit down and agree on who between them should be the next Turkana County chief.
“Let us share what we have. We have 500,000 votes that we should use in the next elections.
Let us vote in one accord and we will be on the development table sharing that cake,” said Munyes.
Kakamega Governor Wycliff Oparanya who accompanied Raila to Turkana said that if the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) would have been effected, then devolved units would be getting Sh750 billion annually.
Increase allocation
Oparanya who is also the ODM deputy party leader said there is need to increase the county allocation, adding the current Sh370 billion as budgeted for in the current financial year is inadequate to fund the needs of the counties.
He urged Raila to implement the 35 per cent increase in allocation as contained in the collapsed BBI constitutional amendment bill.
Kieni MP Kanini Kega an ardent supporter of the ‘Handshake’ said Mount Kenya was already changing their attitude towards Raila who over the years have never voted for him.
“We have never voted for Raila but things have changed and August 9 we shall vote for Raila.
I am not a prophet but I can prophesy that next year, Raila will the fifth President of Kenya. He shall have more than 90 per cent of the votes,” said Kega.
MPs Junet Mohamed (Suna East), Muthama Stanley (Lamu West), Raphael Wanjala (Budalang’i) and Godfrey Osotsi (Nominated) accompanied Raila among a host of local leaders.
Raila will today take his ‘Azimio La Umoja’ gospel to his political nemesis deputy President William Ruto’s turf in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu county.
Meanwhile, it has become evident that ODM leader Raila Odinga has made significant headways in Mt.Kenya.
The region which formerly viewed him as enemy politically has gradually melted their political hearts in his favour.
Yesterday, Jubilee delegates drawn from all the 12 sub counties in Kiambu declared their support for Raila in his bid to capture the presidency in 2022.
In a meeting convened at Jumuia Conference and Country Home, Limuru by Kiambu governor James Nyoro, the delegates committed to conduct door to door campaigns for Raila who they described as development oriented.
Kiambu party official Mary Kirika castigated leaders who he said have been disrespecting the party national chairman, President Uhuru Kenyatta. She said Uhuru is and will remain the Mt Kenya regional kingpin even after retiring from politics next year.
