Tuesday, December 27, 2011

PM Raila tells off ODM critics




Written By:PMPS,    Posted: Tue, Dec 27, 2011
The PM said the party was doing fine without the contribution of outsiders
Prime Minister Raila Odinga has told off Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) critics and asked them to stay away from the party's affairs.
He said the party was doing fine without the contribution of outsiders and exuded confidence that it will emerge victorious come next general elections.
"Our party manifesto is very clear- we carry out campaigns based on policy issues rather than the tribal alliances and ethnic undertones ‘',he said.
Mr Odinga who was accompanied by his wife Ida Odinga spoke during this year's Maragoli cultural festival held at Mbale town in Vihiga County.
The PM announced that the party will not handpick its candidates to vie for various electoral positions in the forthcoming general elections, but will carry out nominations to allow members democratically choose their representatives.
Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi said that ODM had already put its house in order and was ready for elections in August next year.
He said that those who opposed the enactment of the new constitution were now out to mutilate the document against the wishes of Kenyans.
"Over 70per cent of Kenyans voted for devolution, its only those who had a problem with the devolution from the beginning that are working against it'',he said.
However, Mudavadi noted that Kenyans were keen and will not allow anybody to paralyse the constitution implementation process.
Earlier, Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale had urged the PM to protect the wishes of Kenyans by ensuring the the new constitution is safeguarded.
Khalwale pointed out that a section of parliamentarians had hatched a plot to amend the constitution and water down County governments.
Others Present included the Vihiga MP Yusuf Chanzu and other leading personalities from the area.
Ethnic politics
Elsewhere, the PM has cautioned Kenyans to be wary of leaders who promote ethnic politics ahead of the 2012 general elections.
He asked Kenyans to reject such leaders whose goal he said was to divide residents along ethnic lines for political expediency.
Odinga urged Kenyans to coexist harmoniously and work in unity to strengthen their cohesiveness irrespective of their diverse ethnic backgrounds.
"We must shun leaders who propagate tribal politics to divide Kenyans. Politics is not about tribal competition but it is parties that compete" he said.
The Premier who was accompanied by his wife Ida made the remarks when he graced this year's boat racing competition at Bumbe beach in Sio port of Busia County.
He also assured fishermen in Lake Victoria that the government will open talks with the Ugandan authorities to restrain their police from harassing locals during fishing expeditions.
Odinga announced that surveyors who were expected to establish the boundary between the two countries inside the Lake had almost concluded the task and may soon give their report for action.

The task force was formulated to resolve a dispute over the placement of  Migingo and Ugingo Islands of Lake Victoria

Youth and Sports Minister Paul Otuoma and other leaders from Funyula constituency graced the occasion.

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