Wait for my word on October 25, Raila Odinga tells supporters

NASA flag-bearer Raila Odinga 

National Super Alliance (NASA) flag-bearer Raila Odinga has promised a big announcement on the eve of the October 26 fresh presidential election.

He said no amount of intimidation and cajoling will make him take part in the repeat election until the IEBC reforms NASA demands are undertaken.

Speaking in Bondo and Kisumu during emotionally charged special prayers for those killed by police during the anti-IEBC demonstrations, Raila said he will give his supporters the way forward on October 25.

He was accompanied by NASA campaign chairman Musalia Mudavadi and ODM deputy leader and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and a host of other MPs, governors and senators. Raila maintained there will be no election on October 26.

Slay the cat

At the Kisumu rally, Raila’s running mate Kalonzo Musyoka addressed the crowd via the phone from Germany where he has been for the last one week.

Raila said Jubilee and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will not succeed in carrying on with the election without first granting NASA the irreducible minimum demands.

“We are not fools. Listen to me very carefully on Wednesday, October 25. On this day, I will tell you how we will slay the cat,” he said without elaborating.

“I have already foreseen what is good for Kenyans and will ensure I dock this ship where it deserves to be and where it will benefit all Kenyans,” he said.

Raila condemned police killings in Kisumu, Siaya and Homa Bay counties, saying it was wrong for a government to kill its own citizens exercising their democratic rights.

“Kenyans should be celebrating heroes today but it is unfortunate that Mashujaa Day is marked by sadness because of blood shed by a power-hungry regime,” said the ODM party leader.

In Bondo, Raila said the battle is between him and Uhuru Kenyatta and no innocent Kenyan should be killed because of his or her ethnic background.

“The bullets that killed these innocent youths should have been aimed at me. Uhuru should know that he is facing Raila in the race and not the people of Kenya,” he said.

The caskets carrying the bodies of the three youths killed in Bondo last week were paraded at the meeting at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.

Raila urged communities not to shoulder the sins of individual politicians.

“As we speak today, all communities are innocent and we should not suffer because of a few individuals driving their own selfish interests,” he said.

Property destruction

He warned residents against destruction of property during demonstrations, saying no community had committed any offence.

The NASA leader told Kenyans to forget about the October 26 election.

Raila said i t has now been proved beyond any doubt that IEBC as currently constituted cannot deliver a credible election. He said their fears that the electoral commission as currently constituted cannot hold a credible poll were affirmed by resignation of Commissioner Roselyn Akombe who alleged sharp divisions in the commission.

Siaya Senator James  Orengo, former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama and governors Hassan Joho (Mombasa), Cyprian Awiti (Homa Bay), Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu) and Cornel Rasanga (Siaya) accused the government of ethnic profiling through police brutality.

Orengo claimed the government has identified 300 specially trained military officers to be sent to deal with Luos during the August 26 election.