Raila says he is ready for elections even if they are to be held next year

By Vincent Bartoo and Titus Too

Prime Minister Raila Odinga said he was ready for the General Election should the proposed March 4, 2013, date stand.

Although he said it was his strongest opinion that the polls be held in December this year, the PM said he was not intimidated by the March 4 date.

"It has been tradition in this country that we go to the polls every five years.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga with Higher Education Minister Margaret Kamar during ODM delegates meeting in Eldoret. [PHOTO: PMPS]

We should maintain that especially because sitting leaders were given a five-year term in 2007," he said.

Raila also said it was the view of majority Kenyans that the polls be held in December and their views should not be ignored.

"It is not Raila saying this, it is the wish of Kenyans.

Next year, they want to be done with the elections and embark on sending their children back to school and preparing their farms for planting," he said.

But he exuded confidence that he would still be the man to beat should the polls be held next year.

"Sisi hatuogopi, ikifika kwamba ni siku hiyo, tuko tayari. (We are not afraid of that date, we will be ready)," he said.

Raila said this in Marakwet West where he started his one-day tour of the North Rift by attending the burial of former councillor Smith Kaino.

The PM later flew to Eldoret where he met ODM party delegates, elders and opinion leaders from Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo/Marakwet counties.

Those who accompanied the PM were Cabinet Ministers Margaret Kamar, Sally Kosgei, James Orengo and Musa Sirma.

Others were Assistant Ministers Magerer Langat, Ayiecho Olweny, Manson Nyamweya, Alfred Khangati, Julius Murgor and MPs Martin Ogindo and Pollyns Ochieng.

Raila put up a spirited defence against accusations leveled against him by his political opponents that has seen his popularity in the region wane.

He sought to absolve himself from blame that he was behind the tribulations of the Ocampo Four, including Eldoret North MP William Ruto.

The PM likened Ruto to a player in a soccer match who instead of scoring against the opposing team, scores own goals.

"It was him, Musalia (Mudavadi), Sally and Orengo who represented our party in the Serena talks that handled the post-election crisis," he said.

Raila said it was the team that informed him that the Waki Commission had arrived at names of people suspected to have perpetrated post-election violence.

"I didn’t know who Waki was neither did I know about an envelope. In fact I was shocked the names were finally out," he said.

Raila posed: "How could I have even taken my party chairman Henry Kosgey to The Hague? It does not make sense."

The PM dismissed claims that he orchestrated the Hague trials to cut on competition for the presidency in the forthcoming polls.

"They don’t know me. When there are worthy competitors, that is when any political duel I engage in becomes interesting to me," he said.

Raila also told the delegates, mostly from the Kalenjin community, that he never abandoned ODM youths arrested following post-election violence.

"They were arrested because they were protesting a stolen victory and I took the matter to the Cabinet, which resolved that those who had not been charged be released," he said.

The PM also singled out Uasin Gishu politician Jackson Kibor who was arrested and evacuated to Nakuru to be charged.

"I personally intervened and ensured mzee was released.

Then who says I abandoned you? That is pure propaganda," he added.

Speakers also castigated Friday Gema meeting, terming it tribal and unconstitutional.

"If all communities had such meetings to chart their tribal destinies, the nation would not be united," said Orengo.

Raila said ODM was the only party with a national outlook.

"Other parties have tribal followings, but ours has defined multiparty politics. It is setting the pace," he added.