Return to ODM fold, Raila urges Rift Valley voters

Presidential aspirants on Sunday intensified their campaigns as they criss-crossed the country in their hunt for votes.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga concluded his two-day tour of Central Rift on Sunday where he vowed to reclaim his votes in the populous region.

In Nairobi, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka’s received 300 new supporters led by former Cabinet minister Francis Nyenze to his Wiper Democratic Party.

And in Nyamira, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta said leaders were to blame for the economic and social problems facing the country.

The PM, who had earlier attended Sunday service at Kabarak in Nakuru with former President Daniel arap Moi, told the gathering in Eldama Ravine that he was back to reclaim what belonged to him.

Accompanied by 17 MPs including Orange Democratic Movement chairman Henry Kosgey, the PM urged the residents to get back to the party, saying that he was headed to victory.

“I bring you greetings from Moi… I want to tell you that arap Mibei (the name he was given by the Kalenjin in the 2007 campaigns) is back,” he said.

Mr Odinga reiterated that the next election would be a battle between reformists and agents of status quo. He said he was the only one who could be entrusted with the full implementation of the Constitution.

“It’ll be a two-horse race. A race between the horse that is for reforms and justice and another horse which is for impunity and status quo,” the PM said.

He also dismissed claims made in the past by his rivals led by Mr Kenyatta and United Republican Party leader William Ruto that he had a hand in the case facing them at the International Criminal Court.

“I have come with Mr Kosgey today who was in the jaws of the lion, but he is back because he was innocent,”

Mr Kosgey hit out at Mr Ruto for leaving the ODM and starting a new party, saying that he was misleading the Kalenjin. The suspended Industrialisation minister said he would have formed his own party too if he wanted to, but noted that it was not necessary.

Vowed support

Mr Musyoka’s presidential bid got a boost when Mr Nyenze and 300 people from Kitui West joined Wiper Democratic Party.

The group vowed to support Mr Musyoka’s presidential bid in the next General Election.

The VP received the new supporters at Mr Nyenze’s Karen home in Nairobi.

“I want to assure you that the Wiper Democratic Party is for the peace and stability of all Kenyans. I am ready to receive every brother and sister who joins me and my team for the sake of peace and stability of this nation,’’ he said.

Mr Musyoka advised Kenyans to hold those seeking elective positions accountable to a moral and developmental agenda.