Orengo cautions against pre-poll violence

By EVELYN KWAMBOKA

Nobody should use violence as a basis to postpone the General Election or extend the life of the Tenth Parliament, Lands minister James Orengo has said.

“Violence acts must be stemmed because if they are left to go on, they will definitely affect the coming elections,” he said.

Mr Orengo’s sentiments come barely a week after security personnel in Coast Province indicated MRC members were planning to disrupt the upcoming national examinations. Since the country neighbours a number of countries where there has been conflict, Orengo said the possibility of smuggling arms using ‘our porous borders’ must be checked. ‘We do not want Kenya to turn into a police State,” he said.

Orengo, who is eyeing the Siaya County senator seat, said this after holding a meeting with ODM delegates at his home in Ugenya.

Immediately after promulgation of the new Constitution in August 2010, there were calls for elections to be held in August, an issue that ended up in court. The court then ruled that elections be held next year.

The minister, who is a close ally to Prime Minister Raila Odinga, is contesting for the seat along with Bondo MP Oburu Odinga.

The decision to vie for the seat by the two is seen as a big challenge to the PM, who is facing a similar scenario in most areas where ODM has a bigger following. “My vying for the same position with Oburu will not create a rift. I will continue supporting the party even if I lose in the nomination,” Orengo said.