R Valley voters warned against ditching ODM

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi has cautioned the Kalenjin community that they risk losing political direction if they ditched ODM blindly.

Mr Mudavadi dismissed claims that Prime Minister Raila Odinga is an enemy of the region’s residents.

“A whole community cannot be made to believe that one person is their problem. Those are backward politics, which will not take us anywhere.

We should instead address pertinent issues affecting our people,” said the Sabatia MP.

Speaking at the Government Training Institute, Kabarnet where he met ODM delegates from Baringo County, Mr Mudavadi said unity of purpose was the only way the Orange party will clinch presidency.

“It is not about an individual. It is about us all. United we stand divided we fall,” he added.

“ODM is the only party with a true democracy. If my party leader (Mr Odinga) beats me in the ballot I will work him in ensuring that our party ascends to presidency.

Mr Mudavadi suggested that Parliament amends the law to exempt serving councillors from having post secondary education as a qualification to vie for county seats.

“When Parliament resumes ODM will move a motion to ensure the Act will only apply to new contestants for the seats,” said Mr Mudavadi.

Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito dismissed claims that there was division between Mr Mudavadi and Mr Odinga noting that Mr Mudavadi accepted defeat in 2002 and supported Raila’s presidential bid in 2007.

“It’s now the return match. People should stop speculating and let democracy take its course,” said Mr Kizito.

He suggested that to avoid manipulation of votes during the party’s national elections the polls should be done at the grassroots and the final results tallied at the head office.

“ODM receives over Sh100 million from the government. We can afford to enlist the services of Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission to ensure free and fair elections instead of overcrowding at Kasarani,” said Mr Kizito.