Unexpected turn-Raila wants one term only, says top ally
Siasa 04:02
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| Joseph Kanyi | Nation Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Housing assistant minister Margaret Wanjiru march to the venue of their meeting after being welcomed by Nyeri county council chairman Wachira Ken. Local MPs shunned the event |
Housing assistant minister Margaret Wanjiru who spoke in the
presence of Mr Odinga in Nyeri County on Friday, implored central Kenya
voters to elect the ODM party leader as a transition president to rid
the country of tribalism and other vices.
Mr Odinga’s presidency, she added, would also pave
the way for the younger generation to take over the leadership of the
country and put it in a firm development path.
“Raila is not interested in 10 years (two terms)
but only five to transform the country and deal with corruption and
other vices,” she said.
Bishop Wanjiru, whose spoke in Kikuyu, hit out at
presidential candidates Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi saying they
had nothing new to offer since they had failed to make an impact in
ministries they had headed.
Heal the country
She promised she will spearhead the campaigns for Mr Odinga without the fear of those who enjoy support in the region.
Speaking later during an interview with the Nation, Bishop Wanjiru said those supporting Mr Odinga would disown him if he choose to run for a second term.
“We only need him to rule for one-term to heal the country,” she said.
She claimed that other ODM leaders who were
interested in the presidency would not get a chance if Mr Odinga were to
rule for 10 years.
According to her, the ODM leader had dangled the
same carrot to Mr Mudavadi who spurned it suspecting Mr Odinga would not
honour the promise.
Mr Odinga’s pledge to run for only one term came to
the fore last week when Mr Mudavadi’s aide Kibisu Kabatesi disclosed
that the PM had sent Luhya elders to the deputy PM asking him to drop
his presidential bid and back him with the promise that he would return
the favour five years later.
Mr Mudavadi rejected the offer outright, Mr Kabatesi stated.
When he rose to speak, Mr Odinga who was the chief
guest during the signing of an agreement on the maintenance of the
Aberdare Forest fence, steered clear of such claims but called on
Kenyans to shun politicians mobilising support through tribal groupings.
“Identifying Kenyans on the basis of tribes ni takataka (is
rubbish). What is Kamatusa or Gema? Let us leave in peace and direct
our energies to fighting poverty, disease and ignorance” he said.
Other leaders accompanying the PM lashed out at local MPs for shunning the event.
MPs shun event
No MP including the area representative Nemesyus Warugongo attended the function.
In his official address, the PM said an endowment fund will be established to ensure the project is financially sustainable.
he signing of the trust will facilitate the establishment of the Aberdare Trust that will maintain the fence.
http://www.nation.co.kIn his official address, the PM said an endowment fund will be established to ensure the project is financially sustainable.
he signing of the trust will facilitate the establishment of the Aberdare Trust that will maintain the fence.
Nyeri County Council chairman Wachira Keen called on the PM to talk to the people of Central Kenya to win their votes.
The PM later visited the family of former freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi.
Posted on 04:02.
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