ODM and Ford-K in unity talks

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PMPS | NATION Turkana Central residents welcome Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Loima where he addressed them on August 23, 2012. He is on a tour of the region.  

By David Lomuria dlomuria@ke.nationmedia.com and Barnabas Bii bbii@ke. nationmedia.com
Posted  Thursday, August 23  2012 at  23:00

IN SUMMARY

• Raila says both have passion for reforms and will work together as country heads to polls

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has wound up his three-day tour of Turkana County with an announcement that ODM and Ford-Kenya will work together ahead of the 2013 elections.

Mr Odinga said ODM and Ford Kenya share a passion for reform and take similar stand on a range of issues.

The PM’s announcement was backed by Labour minister John Munyes who said he will be working with ODM in and out of Parliament.

Visited Kenyatta’s jail

Mr Munyes, the Labour minister however said he would remain in Ford Kenya, the party that sponsored him to Parliament, even as he works closely with the PM.

The MP said the development programmes Mr Odinga is championing in Turkana has made it necessary for him to support the PM.

Mr Odinga has been in Turkana for three days promoting plans to open up the region through irrigation, investment in infrastructure and increased security.

He announced that the government will upgrade an institution started by missionaries in Lopurin to a centre for the local community to be trained on farming techniques for them to benefit from the Todonyang irrigation scheme.

The premier had earlier on launched the 10,000-hectare irrigation project.

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On his last day, he addressed rallies in Loima, Katilu, Lokichar and Lokori.

Speaking in Katilu, the PM pledged to constitute a committee to look into the border dispute between the Pokot and Turkana communities in a bid to reduce tension in the area.

The issue, he said, had added a new dimension to the traditional rivalry between the two neighbouring communities over cattle rustling.

The PM said the coming elections will be a choice between those who believe in changing the way the country has been governed and others who want to retain the status quo.

The Premier visited Kenyatta House in Lodwar where first president Jomo Kenyatta was detained and which has become part of National Museums.

Kenya’s founding president died on August 22, 1978.

Mr Odinga said it was time to reclaim the nationalists’ vision.

“It is time for us to re-dedicate ourselves to the nationalists dream as we remember our freedom fighters,” he said.