Raila: We'll deliver you from yoke of Jubilee

NASA suppoters during a political rally at Moi gardens in Kericho town on July 6,2017. Photo:Kipsang Joseph/standard

NASA co-principals led by Raila Odinga yesterday held a series of rallies in Kericho County where they urged residents to ditch Jubilee Party.

Speaking during rallies in various towns in the county, the Opposition brigade hit out at President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy President William Ruto for squandering the mandate Kenyans had entrusted to them during the 2013 General Election.

"The August 8 General Election offers Kenyans another chance to finally elect the best bunch of leaders for the country. This is the message we bring to the people of South Rift and Kenya at large, 31 days to election. This is the term for NASA," said Raila.

He was accompanied by his running mate Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Chama Cha Mashinani party leader Isaac Ruto, Moses Wetang'ula, Musalia Mudavadi, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed and Kericho-based lawyer Stella Koech who is vying for Ainamoi parliamentary seat.

Raila expressed confidence that NASA would win to deliver suffering Kenyans from the heavy yolk of Jubilee.

"Kenyans in every corner of the country are crying over the high cost of living, they can't even afford basic commodities such as maize flour, sugar and milk. There is also high rate of unemployment and these are some of the reasons we urge Kenyans to make proper choice that will lead to proper transformation of this country. Kenya is ailing and it is only NASA which has the cure," said Raila.

At Ainamoi trading centre, Raila pleaded with members of the Kalenjin community to once again vote for him as they did in the 2007 election.

He expressed confidence that NASA would form the next government and assured the local community that it would be well represented.

The NASA brigade promised to implement free primary and secondary education, senior citizens will receive a Sh3,500 monthly stipend and that police officers will receive a pay rise and have proper housing.

"We also commit ourselves to address the glaring discriminatory disparities in the payment of bonuses to tea farmers in the Western and Eastern region," said Raila

He added that his administration will compensate families of Kenyans who lost their relatives through police brutality during the 2007 post-election violence.

Kalonzo said the NASA team has the numbers to win the August election in the first round.

"Our numbers now stands at 15 million strong because the Rift has shifted. People have set aside their political, religious and ethnic differences in favour of NASA," said Kalonzo.

Mudavadi dismissed the Standard Gauge Railway and other Chinese-funded project in Kenya as schemes by cartels to siphon money from poor taxpayers.

"Jubilee has borrowed huge loans from China and for a period of four years, the loan have escalated to Sh3 trillion. Life is becoming unbearable since even rent has VAT imposed on it. Vote for us," he said Mudavadi.

Wetang'ula said this time round, they are sure NASA would win the elections.

Governor Ruto said he decided to join NASA in a bid to change the destiny of Kenyans.

"For 60 years, we have been robbed by a few people who have been taking the lion's share of the country's revenue collection while the taxpayers continue to wallow in abject poverty. As one of the 47 governors in the country, we want 45 per cent of the countries revenue collection channelled to the grassroots," he said.

He also defended Raila against Jubilee propaganda that he was an enemy of the people.

"Let us be clear, Odinga has done nothing wrong. Let us give him a chance because, after all, his win will be also ours since I will serve as a prime minister in his government. And you can count on me that you will get your rightful share of the country resources and development project," said Ruto.

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