Nyanza leaders rubbish Tuju bid for presidency

MONDAY, 29 AUGUST 2011 14:12 BY SAMUEL OTIENO

ANGRY: Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo in Mbita yesterday. Photo/Justus Ochieng

Politicians and opinion leaders in Nyanza province have criticised the plan by former cabinet Minister Raphael Tuju to seek the country presidency terming it a waste of time. Speaking during the burial of Nominated MP Millie Odhiambo's mother in Mbita, ministers, MPs and other political leaders said the quest by Tuju to become the president is a ploy to scuttle Raila Odinga's stronghold in Nyanza.

The MPs rubbished off the desire by Tuju to become the president saying his quest for the position is a waste of time and money. Kasipul Kabondo MP Oyugi Magwanga hinted that Tuju was a gun-for-hire and that his presidency is nothing but a sham plot to check on Raila. “It leaves no doubt where his allegiance is. We are not shaken by his presidential bid so long as he is himself. If he is in to spoil the race, then he rather thinks of doing that in Uganda,” said Magwanga.

On his part, ODM whip Jakoyo Midiwo said it is already a public knowledge who will become the president saying even his opponents in the G7 alliance are aware. “Sometime in August 2006, nobody knew that Raila would win the hearts of many Kenyans and get majority votes. Nobody also knew that Raila's votes could be stolen, but today everybody knows who will be the next president of Kenya," said Jakoyo.

He said, even those in the G7 Alliance are aware of the fact that Raila will beat them and have resorted to look for plans to block him from getting a 50-plus-one votes. Rangwe MP Otieno Ogindo said Tuju bid for presidency is a waste of resources and called on locals not to panic. The attack comes hours after Tuju launched his presidential bid in Nairobi.

Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba said the no plan mounted against the prime minister will deter him from winning the next polls. He said contrary to the plans being mooted against Raila and ODM, the premier will emerge the winner and become the 4th president of Kenya saying ODM has embarked on restructuring its team.

Ababu who dared rebel Mps to quit said the party is strong enough to emerge victorious in the upcoming election and that non committed members will be relieved off their post. “A real ODM supporter has nothing to panic about, the party is strong and we ask the like of Ruto to leave even now and join the party of their choice”, said Ababu. Immigration minister Otieno Kajwang hailed the move that the Prime minister took to sack rebel MPs.