Come back home, Raila now urges ODM rebels

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By GEORGE SAYAGIE gsayagie@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Saturday, October 13  2012 at  18:01

IN SUMMARY

• The PM insisted that ODM would only work with parties and people that were ready to defend and fully implement the Constitution.
• He maintained that ODM would form the next government and promised to deliver major changes in the economy.
• The PM said he had no vendetta against party MPs who had left ODM noting that the “gate was still wide open for them to come back home.”

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Prime Minister Raila Odinga has called upon ODM rebels to reconsider their decision and return to the party.

Speaking at the end of his two-day campaign tour in Narok County, Mr Odinga also said all his presidential rivals were non-reformists.

The PM insisted that ODM would only work with parties and people that were ready to defend and fully implement the Constitution.

“Kenyans will be risking going back to the old regimes where there was no respect for human rights and lack of democracy if the next government would be vested upon leaders who passionately 
advocated the rejection of the document during the referendum,” said Mr Odinga.

He maintained that ODM would form the next government and promised to deliver major changes in the economy.

Speaking during a public rally at Narok stadium, the PM said those who campaign against the new Constitution are not in a position to protect and implement it.

“There are those who were showing you red cards before the referendum. They are non-reformists... and it is not possible for them to take this country to a different level,” said Mr Odinga.

The PM said he had no vendetta against party MPs who had left ODM noting that the “gate was still wide open for them to come back home.” (READ: More to jump ship as leaders plot party raids)

He declared that he had no regrets about the Mau conservation efforts as those who opposed the efforts were now benefiting from the fruits of the exercise.

“Conservation of Mau Forest was for the welfare of the millions of people deriving their livelihood from rivers drawing their source from the water tower and was not in any way of targeting any 
given community as claimed by a section of politicians from Rift Valley.

"The Kalenjin community should understand that I still have their interest at heart for the overwhelming support they gave me in the last polls,” he said.

And addressing a leaders’ meeting in Narok University, he said there were fundamental differences between ODM leadership and other parties, arguing his leadership will give a platform to the reform 
agenda in the county.

He said the new Constitution has provided fundamental rights to Kenyan but if there are no implementers, the country will be doomed. 

Historical land injustices took centre stage where Maasai leaders demanded the controversial Mau Narok land the disputed Oloololo group ranch in Transmara be returned to the community.

The PM promised the Maasai community that their concerns will be addressed when he takes the presidency saying all the land that was under the colonialists for lease of 99 years will be given back.

“According to the Constitution, all the community land need to be given back after the expiry of the 99-year lease and that must be done,” he added.

He promised the resident that infrastructure will be top of his development agenda, promising that the Narok Maasai road will be tarmacked next year.

Lands minister James Orengo said all title deeds acquired before independent will be audited to ensure that all land taken from communities is returned.