Raila Odinga pledges to tackle insecurity and land issues in Rift

Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga addresses supporters in Kimilili, Bungoma County. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga has pledged to prioritise land issues and insecurity in Rift Valley counties if elected president on August 9.

Raila noted that if insecurity is addressed in Laikipia, Baringo, Isiolo, Samburu, West Pokot and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties, they would experience real development.

He said national police reservists will be reinstated in the volatile regions. "I have listened to the cry of the people of this region. Immediately after I become the president, national police reservists would be deployed to these areas. We have to restore peace in these regions for them to develop," he said.

Raila promised more police officers would be deployed and police stations constructed in the region.

"It is a shame that we have been losing innocent lives in these regions. This problem must come to an end once and for all,” he said.

Addressing a rally in Rumuruti town, Laikipia County, yesterday, the Azimio presidential candidate pledged that his administration will also set aside funds to provide water for pastoral communities and improve road infrastructure.

"Roads that will be connecting all these counties will be tarmacked as part of the solution to this problem. These will be some of the lasting solutions to this problem,” he said.

Raila who was accompanied by his running mate Martha Karua, further warned people who had grabbed public land that their days are numbered.

He particularly took issue with the grabbing of 16,000 hectares of Agriculture Development Company land in Laikipia West by a senior politician.

"I want to give them notice that the land will be given back to the people of Laikipia. He has been involved in land grabbing cases which we will not allow when we get to power,” said Raila.

He defended his decision to skip the presidential debate on Tuesday evening and accused Deputy President William Ruto of being insincere in his arguments.

"He failed to address the main issues affecting Kenyans and that is why I could not go there and argue with him. One of these is the issue of land,” he said.

Raila's running mate Martha Karua maintained that Azimio government would not tolerate corruption which has made the country lag behind in development.

"If it were not the issue of land grabbing in Laikipia, residents would be ahead. We will not tolerate this anymore," she said.

Other leaders at the rally were Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi, former National Assembly Speaker Francis ole Kaparo, Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere, former MP Peter Kenneth, former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga and Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli.

Laikipia ODM senatorial candidate Julius ole Mamaiyo withdrew from the race in favour of Kanu’s Maina Njenga.

Dr John Mathenge, who was vying for Laikipia West Parliamentary seat on Usawa Kwa Wote party ticket also dropped out to support Kanu’s Sarolyine Wanjiku.