Sunday, June 3, 2012

PM Odinga: I have progressive ideas for Kenya


PM Odinga: I have progressive ideas for Kenya

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Bishop Margaret Wanjiru of Jesus Is Alive Ministries (JIAM) prays for the Prime Minister Raila Odinga (right) and his wife Ida Odinga (left) during a church service in Nairobi on June 3, 2012. Photo/SALATON NJAU
Bishop Margaret Wanjiru of Jesus Is Alive Ministries (JIAM) prays for Prime Minister Raila Odinga (right) and his wife Ida Odinga (left) during a church service in Nairobi on June 3, 2012. Photo/SALATON NJAU 
By DAVE OPIYO dopiyo@ke.nationmedia.co.ke
Posted  Sunday, June 3  2012 at  15:41
Prime Minister Raila Odinga has scoffed at calls that he should quit politics given his age.

He further dismissed the planned alliance against him by Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta, Musalia Mudavadi and Eldoret North MP William Ruto, saying they will fail.
Speaking after attending a church service at the Jesus Is Alive Ministries in Nairobi (JIAM) on Sunday, the PM said he represents 'young and progressive ideas’ which were still beneficial to the country.
Mr Odinga cited the example of Nelson Mandela, whom he said, became the President of South Africa at an advanced age, but transformed the country with 'his progressive and brilliant idea.’
“Mandela came to leadership at age 76 and provided progressive leadership. Raila is much younger than Mandela was yet some people say I should retire…I represents young and progressive ideas,” said the PM.
“You are young as your ideas are. Raila’s ideas are young and progressive. Let them know you can be young but your ideas are old,” added the PM who was accompanied by his wife Ida, MPs Millie Odhiambo Mabona (nominated), her Kasarani counterpart Elizabeth Ongoro and former Nairobi Town Clerk Philip Kisia.
The PM said the strategies being laid out by his opponents to block his bid to ascend to the country’s leadership would not succeed and likening them to the proverbial rat that hatched a plan to bell the cat. None of them were willing to tie the bell.
He maintained that ODM was still the most popular and strong party, which his opponents were scared off.
“They are like those rats who after making a nice bell started arguing who would tie it around the cat’s neck. TNA said no I can’t, URP said no I can’t and UDF said no as well. So, in the end nobody was able to belt the cat and that cat is called ODM,” said Mr Odinga.
He was reacting to a strategy by the three to block him from ascending to presidency come next year.
Last week Mudavadi and Ruto met in Nairobi with about 40 MPs allied to UDF and URP to work out a formula that would see them unite against the premier.
And on Saturday, they roped in Uhuru’s TNA when Mudavadi held a rally at the historic Masinde Muliro Garden, just a week after Raila had a rally at the venue.
Mr Odinga asked Kenyans to judge the politicians with their actions, saying the group can’t be trusted with implementing the new Constitution.
The Ministry is associated with Starehe MP, Margaret Wanjiru, who was the preacher during the service.
“Judge them by their actions. This country has gone through a lot of problems. We have a new Constitution that must be safeguarded by the people who believe in it and not hypocrites,” said Raila.
He said they preach tribalism and should not be given a chance to lead Kenya as their recent actions have shown they don’t have the interest of Kenya at heart.

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