PM Odinga dismisses endorsing aspirants

Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Sunday dismissed calls by a section of ODM supporters to endorse nominees for elective posts saying aspirants were equal irrespective of their ranks in the party.

Supporters allied to Changamwe and Kisauni MPs Ramadhan Seif Kajembe and Hassan Joho have called for their endorsement for Senator and Governor posts respectively in Mombasa County.

PM Odinga said aspirants would be subjected to equal opportunities during the ODM nominations.

“Hiyo lugha sitaki kusikia hapa." (I don’t want to hear that talk here) Joho (Hassan) will only be given the governorship ticket if he wins the nominations,” he said.

He also called on losers not to desert the but instead support the party for the March 4 General Election.

He asked aspirants seeking the party ticket to give members a chance to elect leaders instead of coercing for direct nomination.

When PM Odinga arrived at 11.30am to officially open the ODM office in Buxton area, supporters shouted names of their preferred leaders when the entourage was given a tour of the building.

ODM National Chairman Henry Kosgei who arrived late for the function had a hectic time getting through the heavily guarded building as his security detail jostled to get him into the venue.

Former KNCHR Commissioner Hassan Omar who is facing vice-chairman Kajembe for senator seat was 'roughed up’ by the ad hoc security manning the gate.

Evictions

While at a public rally in Tonoka grounds, PM Odinga told the Likoni residents occupying the Waitiki Farm that they would not be evicted, saying ODM would resolve the issue.

Mr Odinga said land was the basis for economic development in any country and a solution should be found on the Waitiki dispute.

“As a party we will take up the challenge and resolve the dispute amicably without any part feeling disadvantaged,” he said.

Dismissing propaganda that ODM was against the provincial administration, Mr Odinga said under the devolved government the local administration would be restructured to fit into the new dispensation.

He assured chiefs that they would not be sacked under the ODM government saying their rivals had spread lies that the party would sack them

“I want to assure chiefs they will not lose their jobs when ODM takes power in the next General Election but their duties will be restructured to fit into the devolved government system,” he said.

To bring equality in the Kenyan society, Mr Odinga said the ODM government would run the public affairs under the basis of social democracy because of the dangers of the capitalist democracy which created classes.

Mr Odinga disclosed that his party was in discussion with the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) leadership to register as voters so as to participate in the polls.

“We are talking and believe that MRC will join the rest of Kenyans in the ongoing voter registration so that they can vote in the next year’s polls,” he said.

Addressing the crowd, Coast MPs assured their supporters that the ODM government will solve land injustices that was a threat to the people of the region.

Led by Kisauni MP and Assistant Minister for Transport Hassan Joho, the MPs vowed to rally behind the 75,000 squatters that are occupying the 900 acres of Waitiki farm in South Coast.

Echoing the sentiments on land matters, Fisheries Minister Amason Kingi said the problem of land injustices had affected the residents of Takaungu after the court awarded the Mazuri family the right of ownership.

“The problem that we are hearing in Likoni on land is similar to Takaungu in Kilifi County and as leaders we will ensure that nobody is evicted,” Mr Kingi said.

On the Waitiki saga, Land minister James Orengo said the Constitution did not allow people to be evicted without being relocated.

“Kenyans will not be evicted without being shown areas that they will occupy and in this matter the government will ensure that the rights of all the parties are not violated," he said.

Presidential campaign

Meanwhile, PM Odinga will on Saturday launch his presidential campaign at Nairobi’s Uhuru Park.

The event will come a day after the party’s delegates conference at Kasarani Sports Centre where he is expected to be endorsed the presidential nominee.

Members of Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Democratic party are also set to hold a delegates conference in Nairobi on Saturday.

The party will be holding its National Governing Council meeting in Nairobi on Monday as Mr Musyoka is rushing against time to build a coalition for the next election.

Top officials of The National Alliance (TNA) and William Ruto’s United Republican Party (URP) will also meet in Nairobi on Monday to ratify a coalition agreement before it is deposited with the Registrar of Political Parties on Tuesday.

ODM Chairman Henry Kosgey on Sunday said Mr Odinga will use the occasion to explain his agenda to the county and launch the party’s development programmes.

“We are going to tell the country that Mr Odinga is the most qualified presidential candidate to implement the Constitution and expand infrastructure, education and healthcare for all Kenyans,” said Mr Kosgey.

He said Mr Odinga will emphasise national unity, reforms, implementation of the Constitution and creation of jobs.

Mr Odinga has invited allies including South Africa’s African National Congress, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Uganda’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

It is planned that the ODM delegates will stay in Nairobi after the Kasarani meeting for the Saturday launch.

“It will be an opportunity for the presidential candidate to explain himself to ordinary Kenyans and ask them to campaign for him across the country,” said Mr Wambugu Ngunjiri, the Director of Political Affairs at the Odinga campaign team.

Mr Odinga is on Monday expected to address a meeting in Narok before proceeding to Bungoma later in the week to build momentum for the launch.