RAILA: I WILL NOT VIE FOR PRESIDENCY IF ODM LOSES IN NDHIWA

By Mangoa Mosota and James Omoro

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said he will not seek the presidency if the ODM candidate loses in the Ndhiwa by-election.

Raila said it would be a big embarrassment if the electorate rejected ODM candidate Neto Oyugi in Monday by-election.

The PM noted that the party is confident that Oyugi would beat his rivals for ODM to retain the seat.

“Ka ok umiya Neto kaka jaod bura maru to kata an ok abichung e kom maduong’ cha (If you do not give me Neto as your MP, then I will not vie for the top seat),” he said at a rally at Magina Trading Centre, yesterday.

Shame if ODM loses

He said a win for the party in Ndhiwa would be a barometer on its performance in the General Election due in March.

To show how the party was keen on clinching the seat that fell vacant after the death of Internal Security Minister Orwa Ojode, the PM made over 10 stopovers in the expansive constituency.

Raila said his political opponents for the presidency are closely watching ODM’s performance in the Ndhiwa by-election.

“It will be a big shame if ODM loses the by-election. I am supposed to be busy campaigning in areas outside my stronghold. I expect you to campaign for me in this region,” said the PM.

He, however, said the party faces some challenges in the by-election, although he did not elaborate.

Other candidates in the by-election are Tom Alila (Kanu) and Rosemary Rumo (TNA). Yesterday, there was massive mobilisation by ODM, with Raila’s convoy having about 200 vehicles.

Mr Alila marveled at ODM’s campaign team, saying:  “You can see the massive deployment of resources that is being used to contain me.”

Raila urged the electorate to elect Oyugi, saying he is young and energetic. The ODM candidate is aged 35, and if he wins tomorrow he would become the youngest MP in the Tenth Parliament.

“He has the energy to serve you and can be trusted to serve you. Please give him a chance,” said the PM.

Campaigns for the by-election ended last night. Ndhiwa has 48, 616 registered voters. There are 140 polling stations.