Raila says he resisted calls to be sworn as President

By PMPS  ( email the author)

Posted  Monday, January 14  2013 at  12:56

Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Monday recounted how he resisted pressure from his ODM party functionaries who wanted to have him sworn in as President during the 2007/2008 elections dispute.

Mr Odinga disclosed that in the middle of the dispute, a section of leaders from his party told him that they had identified a judge who was ready to swear him in ahead of President Kibaki.

They were also keen to have him sworn in even after Kibaki, a development they said would have mirrored what happened in Madagascar when two contending presidential candidates were declared as President.

Speaking at a breakfast meeting with members of the clergy also attended by the Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, the PM said he asked those pushing to give him a day to reflect and returned with a decision that he could not do it.

“It reminded me of the temptation of Jesus where Satan took him around, showing him all the beauties of the land and declaring that he would give Jesus all that if only Jesus knelt and worshiped him. I thought we would have no country if we went that route. It was not worth it,” the PM said.

At the same time, the PM called upon Kenyans to maintain peace during this electioneering period and avoid actions that can trigger violence as witnessed during the 2007 polls.

He said it was the duty of every Kenyan of good will to preach peace so that all the 42 ethnic communities in the country co-exist harmoniously to enable the country move forward.

Mr Odinga who is also the presidential flag bearer for the Coalition of Reforms and Democracy (Cord) noted that the coming polls will be a game changer and promised Kenyans that he will implement every undertaking he makes during the campaign trail.

"Our word is our bond - we will do what we have said and say what we will do," he said adding that "we will not come up with excuses and say no it’s the devil the way others have done".

He said that soon, the Cord Alliance will release its manifesto that contains pledges they intend to implement when it comes to power.

The PM thanked the church for preaching peace, tolerance among Kenyans and for remaining the conscience of the society; and assured the clergy that his government will work closely with religious leaders to transform the country.

"We need our religious leaders working shoulder to shoulder with the government for us to achieve the Kenyan dream," he said.