Raila laughs off retirement talk

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has laughed off calls for his retirement saying he will only do so if  Kenyan voters reject him at the ballot.

He said he did not fear competition from those seeking to succeed President Kibaki and said it was laughable for Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi to call for his retirement in the hope he will have an easy ride to the presidency.

"Anyone who has plunged into the presidential race should be ready for a bruising battle. There will be no easy rides to State House,” he said at Bumala market in Busia County on his way to address an ODM rally in Busia town.

Recently, Mr Mudavadi, who ditched ODM for the United Democratic Front (UDF) in whose ticket he is seeking to contest the presidency, challenged the PM to join President Kibaki in retirement when the term of the Coalition Government ends. 

Mr Odinga said he has been on the forefront in the struggle for reforms in the country and has the credentials to lead, adding that many of his competitors had nothing to show.

"Kenyans should elect reform minded people who can bring the desired changes in the country not non reformists."

He reiterated that it was only reformists who could fully implement the Constitution.

Mr Odinga, who is the ODM party leader, said contrary to perceptions that the party’s popularity was waning, it was growing from strength to strength.

He said all those who had left the party had been effectively replaced and ODM was marching steadily to a resounding win when elections are called.

"Their departure was good riddance and now the party is reloaded with presence in all corners of the country.”