PM Raila distances himself from Hague politics

Written By:PMPS,    Posted: Wed, Feb 08, 2012

The Prime Minister said he is one of the people who advocated for a local tribunal(File Picture) Prime Minister Raila Odinga has distanced himself from allegations that he was instrumental in taking  post election violence suspects to The Hague to remove political competition  in the Presidential race. Speaking in Bungoma town on Wednesday, Mr. Odinga pointed out that indeed he was one of those people who advocated for setting up of a local tribunal to try the suspects in the country in vain. Noting it was mischievous for anyone to claim that he took anyone to The Hague to eliminate competition in the Presidential race, Mr. Odinga said he would not apply such unorthodox means to ascend to the country's leadership. He said, "Am not vindictive to take people to The Hague, those spreading this propaganda were the same ones shouting don't be vague say Hague in relation with how the post elections suspects could be tried." Addressing the charged crowds, Mr. Odinga said the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) would spare no effort to emerge the winner and avoid being held hostage when the party forms the next government. He maintained that the party was determined to win majority seats in the Senate, in Parliament and in the county governments and form a strong government that cannot not be blackmailed by people from other parties. Speaking at various centres on his way to address ODM delegates at Kibabii teachers college, Mr. Odinga at the same time asked people from other political parties not to interfere with the internal affairs of the ODM. Likening political parties to different religious organizations, the PM stated that it was not possible for one church to take their doctrines to another church. "Similarly, other parties should not interfere with the running of our party and in particular the forthcoming party Presidential nominations," he added. He reiterated that ODM was not under threat of splitting because of deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi's bid to be nominated as party Presidential flag bearer in the general elections. Emphasizing that the party was rock steady, Mr. Odinga  said  Musalia  is exercising his democratic rights  and should not be vilified  for his candidature, for he has done nothing wrong. "Indeed Musalia and I are inseparable and those hoping to reap from an alleged expected fall out between me and him will be greatly disappointed." He said the fact that the competitors are uniting to field one Presidential candidate against one from ODM, signifies that it is the party to beat in the elections. Mr. Odinga cautioned ODM members to be wary of propaganda by competitors aimed at rocking the party, adding they should remain resolute in helping the party to victory when elections are called. He said unlike in the 2007 elections when ODM was forced to share government with PNU, this time round ODM was determined to take charge of the government in order to implement its development programmes as espoused in party manifesto. Noting that ODM was a party for change, Mr. Odinga said it was keen on changing all the bad policies that have made the country drag behind in development. He said policies that have polarized the country along tribal lines are the cause of the backwardness in the country. "Tribalism has consigned this country to poverty and must be overhauled," During the tour of Bongoma town, Mr. Odinga opened ODM party offices in the town and laid a foundation stone to an administration block and three tuition blocks at Mupeli D.E.B. primary school to be built at a cost of 70 million with assistance from Germany government. The school which is built in a slum area of Bungoma town is expected to enroll some 1000 children in the area when completed in August.