Raila disowns ‘fight for stolen victory’ report

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has dismissed reports attributed to him saying he would fight to the end for the 2007 ‘stolen’ victory.

An incensed Mr Odinga said the report was “in bad taste” and could jeopardise the smooth running of the Grand Coalition Government.

The PM said the report in some sections of the print media had portrayed him in bad light.

Addressing a public meeting at Agoro Sare High School in Oyugis, Rachuonyo District, Mr Odinga said ODM and PNU were equal partners in the coalition and could not go against the National Accord.

“I did not say what is reported in one of the papers today (Sunday). I said there was need to stop the fighting and blood-letting, negotiate and have something rather than lose it all because there was bound to be another chance,” Mr Odinga told the crowd.

He said that the chaos that rocked the country was now in the past.

“When two bulls fight it’s the grass that suffers,” he added.

Commenting on the issue of student unrest, Mr Odinga said the Government would come up with a programme to end the wave of school strikes. He also asked students to stop the lawlessness and to respect their parents and teachers.

At another public rally-cum-church service at Gusii Stadium, Mr Odinga reiterated the Government’s commitment to ensure the coalition delivered on its pledges.

He singled out tribalism, corruption and bureaucracy as the biggest problems facing Kenya today.

In a meeting with the region’s leaders at a Kisii hotel, Mr Odinga said that the Government will address all the bottlenecks impeding investment in the country.

He said that infrastructure will be developed and raised concern over the rising fuel and electricity costs, which he said, could affect investment.

At the same time, the PM announced that teachers’ salaries will be harmonised with those of other civil servants, saying he had held talks with Education minister Sam Ongeri over the matter.

Cabinet ministers Paul Otuoma, Chris Obure and Dalmas Otieno accompanied the PM. Others were assistant ministers Richard Onyonka, Dr James Gesame and Omingo Magara.

MPs Dr Robert Monda and Charles Onyancha were also in attendance.

Reports by Walter Menya, Otieno Owida and Angwenyi Gichana