Don’t write me off, Raila tells political rivals

By LAWRENCE ALURU and ISAIAH GWENGI

KENYA: Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga warned his opponents to write him off politically at their own peril, as he led ODM campaigns to defend the Siaya gubernatorial seat.

Odinga piled pressure on the government as he cited insecurity, rise in the cost of living and unemployment as pressing problems that need to be addressed urgently.

He led the ODM brigade in campaigning in Bondo, Rarieda and Siaya for their candidate, Cornel Rasanga, ahead of the October 17 by-election.

The ODM leader scoffed at attempts to impose an age limit for those running for president.

“Age doesn’t matter so long as one has the necessary experience to lead the country,” Odinga said.

The National Movement for Democracy Advancement has lobbied for an amendment of the Constitution to bar anybody aged 70 and above from holding a seat as the head of the Executive, Legislature or Judiciary.

But Odinga, 68, said age does not matter since there had been older leaders who had successfully steered their nations to prosperity.

CORD leaders rallied the electorate to ensure ODM recaptures the seat.

“CORD is being frustrated and we are going to make sure that this is not happening, especially here in Siaya,” Machakos Senator Johnston Muthama told a crowd at Pap Komenya grounds in Usenge, Bondo constituency.

Main challenger

Siaya County Senator James Orengo claimed the contest between Rasanga and his main challenger William Oduol is one involving Odinga.

In what he termed as ‘Makueni Reloaded’, Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula said it would be shameful for another party to win the Siaya seat.

“Siaya is our party’s stronghold and we should not allow another party to win in the forthcoming by-election. We had 24 governors and if we are going to lose this one, we will become the laughing stock,” he said.

Odinga defended the nomination of Rasanga as the ODM flag bearer.

The party had invited Oduol, Elisha Odhiambo and Carey Orege and they all promised that they were going to support whoever the party nominated, he added.

Odinga said Oduol was in ODM but when the ticket was given to Rasanga, he changed his mind to go back to the National Agenda Party of Kenya.

“We found Rasanga to have committed no offence and that is the reason as to why we nominated him to vie for the seat,” Odinga said.

Others in the entourage were Jakoyo Midiwo (Gem MP) and area Women Representative Christine Ombaka.

The leaders addressed huge crowds in Usenge, Bondo, Rarieda and Siaya town where they called on the electorate to vote for Rasanga the same way Makueni people did for Mutula Kilonzo Junior.

Muthama urged the electorate not to humiliate the former PM by voting for another candidate other than Rasanga.

Rasanga caused laughter when he said that he was given a girl and headed to a house with her but somebody came knocking 30 minutes later.

“Someone came knocking before I started talking to her and I realised four months later that she was pregnant. Should she be married off to another person yet I was the one with her in the house on that day?” he asked.

Wetang’ula said Nyanza was Odinga’s zone and the electorate should cast their votes in favour of the Cord candidate.

The Siaya gubernatorial seat fell vacant following the High Court decision that nullified Rasanga’s victory and ordered the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to hold a fresh election.

Officials campaigns began on September 21.

Three candidates have been cleared to contest the Siaya County Governor seat and three others for Kibwezi West Constituency by-election, also to take place on October 17.

Siaya County Returning Officer Jackline Osiemo issued clearance certificates to Oduol of the National Agenda Party of Kenya (NAP-K), Dr Noah Miguda Owanje an Independent Candidate and Rasanga of ODM.

In Kibwezi West, the Returning Officer Noor Gedi cleared Juliana Mumo Kisimbi (Pick), Patrick Mweu Musimba (an independent candidate) and Richard Kalembe Ndile (TIP).