Abagusii make demands to Raila Odinga for their support

ODM leaders Raila Odinga receives defectors from different parties when he hosted Gusii leaders in Nairobi when they called on him at Orange house. [PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE/STANDARD]

NAIROBI: The Abagusii community living in Nairobi have made several demands to the Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga in exchange for their support of his his candidacy in the 2017 General Election.

They want Nairobi zoned and a candidate from the community running for a parliamentary seat be given an automatic nomination by the party in areas such as Dagoretti North, Embakasi Central and Kasarani where they are the majority.

They also want the party to reserve for them ward rep tickets in 15 wards and a candidate from the community to vie unopposed for at least one of the four 'influential' elective posts - governor, deputy governor, senator or woman representative.

The community's representatives from the 17 constituencies in Nairobi, who presented a memorandum to Raila at Orange House Wednesday, also demanded that the party must ensure a free and fair exercise where only candidates who are elected are given certificates.

Omogusii Nairobi County Forum Secretary Abner Mogire said they plan to rally members from the community staying in Nairobi to register as voters and vote for the former Prime Minister as a block in the next polls.

"We intend to join other progressive forces and strengthen, rejuvenate and re-energise our party ODM and prepare to march to State House in 2017," said Mr Mogire.

lip service

Present at the function were Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, Kisii Senator Chris Obure, ODM National Treasurer and Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire and ODM Nairobi branch Chairman George Aladwa among others. Speaking during the function, Raila accused the Jubilee administration of paying lip service to the fight against tribalism and corruption.

He said said the push to amend the Constitution will help cure the ills that have beset the country for last 50 years including negative ethnicity and youth unemployment.

"We can only end tribalism, corruption and electoral fraud if we change the Constitution," said Raila.

The former premier also hit out at Jubilee administration for "recycling old politicians and giving youths a raw deal" in public appointments. The former PM also received several defectors from various parties.