Raila: I am not a tribalist

By Isaiah Lucheli and Boniface Gikandi
Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said empty propaganda being peddled in Central Province depicted him as a bad leader, allegations that have denied him votes in the past.
In an attempt to woo voters from the populous Kikuyu community and clear his name, the PM told Murang’a leaders that he was not a vengeful person and neither was he a tribalist.
"Propaganda being spread against my person include Raila hates Kikuyus, that I will avenge if I ascend to the presidency, and that I am against the private sector. This is deceptive and untrue," said Raila.
He explained propaganda had portrayed him as a leader who would avenge all the ills committed against him by the community if he ascended to the presidency.

Prime Minister Raila odinga is received by Kandara women before he launched the Makenzie-Muruka-Kandara road construction in Murang’a County on Saturday. Photo: John Muchucha/Standard

"Why will Raila have a reason to revenge? It is empty political propaganda," he said.
The PM assured the Kikuyus that they had not at any given time wronged him.
"The Kikuyu community has not done anything wrong against me. There is nothing I have to avenge. This is distorted, untrue information," he said.
The demolition of houses on road reserves in 2003 to create space for construction of the Southern and Eastern bypasses has also depicted the PM as against the private sector.
Raila, however, clarified that the perception that he is against the private sector had been arrived at during his tenure as Minister of Roads, where he oversaw the demolition of houses illegally constructed on road reserves.
"The current road construction projects, including Thika road, were initiated during my tenure as Minister of Roads. The demolition of buildings has made it possible to construct the roads," he explained. The PM added he was also an entrepreneur and assured the people that he fully supports the private sector as it plays a key role in the country’s development.
Raila explained that he was committed to working with all tribes.
"During the advent of multi- party politics I worked closely with Paul Muite and Kenneth Matiba. I have nominated a Kikuyu councillor in Langata constituency. Is this tribalism?" he said.
The PM later commissioned the construction of Muruka Mackenzie road. Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Roads minister Franklin Bett, Hamisi MP George Khaniri Nominated MP Rachael Shebesh and area MP Maina Kamau accompanied the PM.