Clear your names, Ida tells aspirants

Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s wife has called on politicians with a tainted past to clear their names first before seeking the presidency.

Mrs Ida Odinga said that some of the presidential aspirants wanted the top job to shield themselves and ensure their past deeds were not scrutinised.

“Everybody can shout, but very few can be leaders. You don’t have to do something bad, then run to us to be our leader.

“Clear your name from the grassroots first, and then say ‘I am clean, I want to be your leader’,” she said in Nairobi on Friday.

Campaign launch

Mrs Odinga did not mention any names. Two of those seeking to compete with her husband for the top seat have cases pending at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto, believed to be Mr Odinga’s strongest rivals, have cases at the ICC in connection with the 2007 post-election violence.

Mrs Odinga was speaking at the launch of another campaign project dubbed ‘Sibanduki-Raila 4 Rais’ at the Serena Hotel.