Thursday, February 9, 2012

Kenyans urged not to be anxious about election date



Written By:PMPS,    Posted: Thu, Feb 09, 2012
The PM says the govt is fast tracking all efforts that will ensure the country holds free and peaceful polls
Prime Minister Raila Odinga has urged Kenyans not to be anxious about the date of next elections saying President Kibaki and himself will act in the best interest of the country on the issue.
Talking to the media after a meeting with elders from communities from Trans Nzoia County at Kitale Club Thursday, the PM said the country's preparedness for elections is a critical consideration in determining the date.
He said the government is fast tracking all efforts that will ensure the country holds free and peaceful polls.
Mr Odinga ssaid his ODM party is refurbishing its manifesto in readiness for next polls and predicted massive victory in elections.
The PM said ODM agreed to enter a coalition in 2008 to save lives with the plan of fighting another day.
"In the coming polls, that other day has come. All party supporters must come out and prepare to put ODM in power," the PM said.
The PM said ODM's opponents are trying to forge a united front because they realize it is a mighty force but said they will not stop the party's march to power.
"You don't try so hard to unite unless you realize you are up against a serious force. That is what our opponents have noticed and that is why they are ganging up. But even in 2007, they ganged up and they still could not stop us," Mr Odinga said.
While addressing community leaders and elders at the Kitale Club, Mr Odinga said only a comprehensive land reform will resolve the problem of landlessness and ensure economic and productive use of existing land.
He decried the focus on subdividing land into increasingly smaller parcels which he said is turning rural Kenya into slums.
The PM said the problem began with the "false start at independence when the land that had been alienated by colonialists were bought by the few who could access loans while the majority who had fought for independence were left with nothing because they could not afford it.
Addressing elders from the Luhya, Nandi, Sabaot and Turkana communities at the Kitale Club before meeting ODM delegates, the PM said the land question is what split the nationalist movement after independence. It is at the centre of the current problem of internally displaced persons that is now haunting the country, the PM said.
The PM called for comprehensive reforms that will ensure land is used productively and owners have the capital to develop it.
The PM said owning thousands of acres of land mean nothing if there is no capital to develop it.
Mr Odinga said the coalition government has scored significant successes in areas of infrastructure and other reforms but more remains to be done.
He said it was a pity that the land question remains unresolved, close to 50 years since the colonialists left.
"Only a comprehensive solution to the land problem will put the question to rest," the PM said.
The PM, who was joined by Cabinet Minister Dr Noah Wekesa, said that in its quest for power, ODM will be working with leaders from across the political divide saying only such a move will ensure the party take power on its own.

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