Raila brands rivals anti-reformists

By Peter Opiyo

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has dismissed a tripartite alliance mounted against him by Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi and Eldoret North MP William Ruto.

The PM said the trio are scared of ODM’s strength and added their strategies would not work. He likened them to proverbial rats that hatched a plan to tie a bell around the cat’s neck so that they could pick it out whenever it raids, but none would tie the bell.

“They are like those rats who after making a nice bell started arguing who would tie it around the cat’s neck. TNA said no I can’t, URP said no I can’t and UDF said no as well. So, in the end nobody was able to belt the cat and that cat is called ODM,” said Raila. Raila’s wife Ida, Kasarani MP Elizabeth Ongoro, nominated MP Millie Odhiambo –Mabona and former Nairobi Town Clerk Philip Kisia, who is seeking the position of Nairobi Governor, accompanied him.

He was reacting to a strategy by the three to block him from ascending to presidency come next year. Last week, allies of the trio have been brainstorming on a strategy that would block Raila from becoming the president.

Mudavadi and Ruto met in Nairobi with about 40 MPs allied to UDF and URP to work out a formula that would see them unite against the premier. And on Saturday, they brought in Uhuru’s TNA when Mudavadi held a rally at Masinde Muliro Garden in Kakamega, just a week after Raila led a rally at the venue.

While speaking at Jesus is Alive Ministry, Nairobi, Raila asked Kenyans to judge politicians on their actions, saying the group can’t be trusted with implementing the new Constitution. The church is associated with Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru who was the preacher during the service.

“Judge them by their actions. This country has gone through a lot of problems. We have a new Constitution that must be safeguarded by the people who believe in it and not hypocrites,” said Raila.

distribute wealth

He said they preach tribalism and should not be given a chance to lead Kenya as their recent actions have shown they don’t have the interest of Kenya at heart.

“Look at those politicians and their actions. Tomorrow they will go to Limuru and talk about Gikuyu, Embu and Meru Association and go to Eldoret to preach Kalenjin, Maasai, Turkana and Samburu and come and tell you they are nationalists,” the PM said.

He was referring to the recent gatherings organised by Uhuru in Limuru under Gema and Ruto in Eldoret under Kamatusa to chart a political path. He also dismissed calls that he should quit politics given his age, saying Nelson Mandela became the President of South Africa at an advanced age but transformed the rainbow country with progressive and brilliant ideas.

“Raila represents young and progressive ideas. Mandela came to leadership at age 76 and provided progressive leadership. Raila is much younger than Mandela was yet some people say I should retire,” he pointed out.

“You are young as your ideas are. Raila’s ideas are young and progressive. Let them know you can be young but your ideas are old.”

He said ODM is keen to create employment and distribute wealth among Kenyans.