Raila says elections will be held this year

Written By:PMPS,    Posted: Sat, Feb 04, 2012

PM Raila said the demolitions are illegal(File Picture) Prime Minister Raila Odinga has hinted that the general election will be held this year. He however said the actual date of the elections remains a closely guarded secret between him and his co-principal the President. He was  speaking in Machakos town where he met ODM delegates and elected party leaders from Makueni, Machakos and Kitui counties in the recently held grassroot elections.  On his way to Machakos he addressed members of the public at Mlolongo and Kyumvi townships ordering a stop to demolitions and evictions until the government takes elaborate measures to safeguard those affected. The PM said that demolitions were contrary to a bill of rights which guarantees all Kenyans the right to housing. Leaders from Mavoko and Athi River had pleaded with the PM to address the issue that threatens to render thousands of residents in the area homeless following a recommendation by a taskforce on land in the area. He explained demolitions and a forceful eviction was brutal adding that to evict Kenyans without providing them alternative residence only to leave them homeless gave the government a bad name. ‘'I have ordered the lands minister James Orengo to address this issues urgently,because those being evicted are victims  of mistakes committed during the previous regime'',he said. The PM said that the government wants a human face in any activity involving its officers and citizens,at largely blamed the demolitions on land grabbers for using the police to carry out force full evictions. He was categorical that any evictions ought to have been in a phased and systematic way to avoid a situation where families including women and children are forced to spend in the cold. The PM also rooted for the ODM party and called on the residents of Ukambani region to join the party enmass noting the party has a nationally following and draws followers from all corners of the republic. He was accompanied by among others Kalembe Ndile,Ministers William ole Ntimama ,Joseph Nyaga and Dalmas Otieno,MPs Fred Outa and John Pesa.