Raila: I have no problem with Mudavadi

Prime Minister Raila Odinga Saturday reiterated that his deputy Musalia Mudavadi has a right to challenge him for the ODM presidential ticket.

Speaking during the burial of the late retired ACK Bishop Eliud Okiring in Hoito Mt Elgon District, who for long fought for justice in the country, Mr Odinga said Mr Mudavadi candidature is part of ODM’s internal democracy.

The PM did not, however, comment on President Kibaki’s stand that the General Election should be held next year.

On Friday, the Head of State said the polls will be held in March 2013 consistent with a constitutional court ruling.

Mr Odinga has rooted for a December poll adding that Parliament will have a say in fixing the elections date.

Accompanied by Fisheries minister Paul Otuoma, assistant minister Alfred Khangati, Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapondi and ACK Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, Mr Odinga said there were no differences between him and Mr Mudavadi as portrayed by ODM critics.

“Musalia has a right to vie against Raila and if defeated he should support Raila and if I am defeated I will support Musalia,” said Mr Odinga told thousands of mourners from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The PM said ODM was intact and it was only some of his and Mr Mudavadi’s supporters who were fighting over the nomination.

Mr Mudavadi has launched a fierce battle for the ODM presidential ticket, a thing that has rattled Mr Odinga’s backers who want him to be the party’s automatic candidate.

Mr Odinga dismissed his opponents' vow to unite under various alliances to frustrate his presidential bid.

“Even if they are G7, G3 or G100, ODM is ready to beat them hands down in the next elections,” he said.

He called on Kenyans not to be divided over party differences or on tribal lines.

Mr Odinga, Archbishop Wabukala, Mr Otuoma and other speakers mourned the late Bishop Okiring as a true defender of Kenyans, fighter for human rights, justice and democracy in the country.

Mr Odinga said Bishop Okiring’s struggle led to reforms in the Anglican Church and increase of dioceses from nine to the current 30.

He said the late Bishop Okiring efforts inspired politicians to fight for change and the removal of Section 2A of the Constitution that paved way for multi-party democracy.

“When we saw Okiring’s succeed in the fight for creation of Katakwa diocese, we also started agitating for reforms in the country, which led to multi-partyism. We were arrested and detained but we soldiered on,” he said.

He also paid tribute to the late Bishops Alexander Muge, Okullu and Reverend Timothy Njoya for their role in bringing change to Kenya in the 1990s when the fight for the new Constitution started.

The PM called on Kenyans to be vigilant to ensure the Constitution is implemented to the letter to address the aspirations of the country’s forefathers.

Mr Otuoma criticised the G7 Alliance for dividing Kenyans under the pretext of holding prayers for the ICC suspects.

The late Bishop Okiring leaves behind six children and a widow, Beatrice Atogoto.