Elect reformers, Raila urges voters

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By ABIUD OCHIENG’ aawiti@ke.nationmedia.com AND LINET WAFULA  lwafula@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Saturday, May 26  2012 at  21:37

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said the full implementation of the Constitution will depend on the outcome of the General Election.

The PM said it would be futile to expect tangible changes if people who are not comfortable with the new order were elected.

“It is up to you to vote in leaders who will implement the new Constitution,” the PM said.

Mr Odinga said the fruits of the Constitution can only be realised if those tasked with its implementation believe in it. “The problems Kenya has faced over the years have resulted from poor governance.

“That is why we brought the new Constitution to devolve resources from Nairobi to the counties and bring democracy, but now that it has come, we need people who believe in it to implement it,” he said.

He spoke in Busia on the second day of ODM’s vote hunt in Western Province. On Sunday, the PM will be in Kakamega county, a move that has angered his deputy Musalia Mudavadi and his allies, who have accused ODM of stalking him.

Saturday’s meeting had been scheduled for Kakamega but the Orange party changed venues to avert a possible clash of supporters with Mr Mudavadi’s UDF, who said they had booked the Muliro Gardens for a small meeting ahead of their rally at the same venue next week.

Earlier in the day, a team of ODM MPs led by Mr Ababu Namwamba of Budalang’i had toured areas in Kakamega county and dismissed Mr Mudavadi’s dream for the top seat as an exercise in futility.

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They claimed he could not marshal the numbers to win the presidency “even in his own backyard”.

Mr Odinga said ODM stood a chance of making Kenyans reap from the new Constitution because it is made up of leaders who have been fighting for reforms over a long time.

Mr Odinga also criticised those claiming he should retire with President Kibaki, saying that a politician is only retired by the vote. (READ: Raila laughs off retirement talk)

He said ODM is fully prepared for the elections and called on those who want him to retire to prepare for a bruising battle.

“I will not leave until the voters tell me to retire by voting me out. ODM is currently on the football pitch and we want others to join in the match where we will demonstrate to them we are better contestants,” Mr Odinga said.

He said that although some politicians had left ODM, the party was still strong and attracting members. “The door is open to those who want to leave. ODM has the will and the might. When one leaves, 10 are joining the party.”

He was accompanied by ministers Fred Gumo, Paul Otuoma, James Orengo, Franklin Bett, Dalmas Otieno, Otieno Kajwang, assistant ministers Magerer Langat, Margaret Wanjiru, and MPs Sospeter Ojaamong, Wilber Ottichilo, John Mbadi, Henry Kosgey, Elizabeth Ongoro, Hassan Joho, Rachel Shebesh and Millie Odhiambo.