Raila seeks to reconnect with South Rift voters

Raila Odinga joins in dance when he attended a mass at Siongiroi Catholic Church in Bomet.

By Edwin Makiche and Leonard Korir

Prime Minister Raila Odinga took his campaign to the South Rift where he maintained that he has no vendetta with members of the Kalenjin community, as claimed by some politicians from the region.

Raila said he would not forget the overwhelming support the community offered him and ODM during the last General Election, adding he still has their interests at heart.

The premier toured the region barely a day after Sotik MP Joyce Laboso ditched the party and joined United Republic Party (URP) citing delay in the resettlement of Mau Forest evictees and pressure from her constituents to decamp from ODM.

Speaking after he attended Mass at Siongiroi Holy Family Catholic Church in Chepalungu constituency, Raila absolved himself from blame that he was the mastermind of the eviction of people from the country’s biggest water tower.

He said the decision was reached after a series of Cabinet meetings and wondered how a section of politicians from the region who sat at such meetings and raised no objection have since politicised the process for their selfish political gain.

Delayed funds

He said his opponents capitalised on his role as the co-coordinator of Government activities to brand him as a friend-turned-traitor.

The premier said the resettlement process would have long been cleared but their coalition partner frustrated the efforts by delaying to disburse the funds.

He urged the community to vote him as the president so that he can fulfill the promises he and the party made to them in the run-up to the last elections.

He cited the Mau eviction and cases pending at the International Criminal Court (ICC) involving Eldoret North legislator, William Ruto and former radio journalist, Joshua Sang as the main issues used by his political enemies to weaken his support in the community.

“I did not take anyone to the ICC and those who are in doubt can ask Kosgey just right here,” said Raila.

Raila was accompanied by ministers James Orengo (Lands), Henry Kosgey (Industrialisation), Franklin Bett (Roads), Energy assistant minister Magerer Langat, Home Affairs assistant minister Beatrice Kones and several MPs including Martin Ogindo (Rangwe) and Fred Outa (Nyando).

Orengo dismissed claims that his ministry delayed the resettlement and instead blamed the Treasury for withholding funds meant for exercise.