Raila Odinga: I'll not quit politics until I liberate economy

ODM party leader Raila Odinga with Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli (centre)and Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

ODM party leader Raila Odinga has said he will not quit active politics until he delivers "the third liberation" that will help fix the country's economy.

Raila said he was ready to endorse someone else in the presidential race, but only after he has ascended to that most powerful seat.

"We are going to bring economic revolution while in power before passing on the mantle to someone else," said the former prime minister.

He spoke yesterday at the burial of Margaret Nandalwe, mother of Bungoma politician Moses Nandalwe, at Russia village in Sirisia, Bungoma County.

There have been speculations that Raila could be compelled to endorse a compromise candidate in order to beat Deputy President William Ruto, who has already started his campaign for the race.

But Raila’s assertion yesterday could put an end to the speculations and reassure his supporters in Western Kenya and other parts of the country that he is the man to beat in the contest.

Raila said that the 'handshake' with President Uhuru Kenyatta was meant to bring the country together and avert a repeat of the electoral chaos.

He said the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) recommendations would be implemented at all costs for the good of all Kenyans but he did not clarify how that would be achieved.

Attorney General Kihara Kariuki has moved to the Supreme Court seeking to have Appeal's Court ruling on the BBI reversed.

"To bring 35 per cent of resources to the counties, we must pass and implement the BBI and we are going to do so come next year," said Raila.

Meanwhile, the ODM leader will tomorrow resume his campaign trail and is expected to host a rally in the North Eastern region where he will be popularising his Azimio la Umoja (Declaration of Unity) campaign. The climax of his campaigns in the region is expected to be a formal declaration of run for presidency in 2022.

He will Garissa in a series of political events that have exposed Raila’s resolve to mobilise votes outside his support base in Luo Nyanza.