Raila: Fear not over election date

Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Thursday sought to diffuse anxiety over the date of next elections, saying the Grand Coalition principals will act in the best interest of the country.

Briefing the press after meeting elders drawn from Trans Nzoia county at Kitale Club, Mr Odinga said the country's preparedness for elections will be a critical consideration in determining the date.

He said the government is fast tracking all efforts to ensure the country holds free and peaceful polls.

Mr Odinga said his ODM party is refurbishing it's manifesto in readiness for the polls and predicted massive victory in elections.

"In the coming polls, that other day has come. All party supporters must come out and prepare to put ODM in power," the PM said.

The PM said ODM's opponents are trying to forge a united front because they realise it is a force to reckon with.

"You don't try so hard to unite unless you realise you are up against a serious force. That is what our opponents have noticed and that is why they are ganging up. But even in 2007, they ganged up and they still could not stop us," Mr Odinga said.

Land question

While addressing community leaders and elders at the Kitale Club, Mr Odinga said only a comprehensive land reform will resolve the problem of landlessness and ensure economic and productive use of existing land.

He decried the focus on subdividing land into increasingly smaller parcels which he said is turning rural Kenya into slums.

The PM said the problem began with the "false start at independence when the land that had been alienated by colonialists were bought by the few who could access loans while the majority who had fought for independence were left with nothing because they could not afford it."

Addressing elders from the Luhya, Nandi, Sabaot and Turkana communities at the Kitale Club, the Prime Minister said the land question is what split the nationalist movement after independence.

It is at the centre of the current problem of internally displaced persons that is now haunting the country, Mr Odinga said.

He called for comprehensive reforms that will ensure land is used productively and owners have the capital to develop it.

The Prime Minister said owning thousands of acres of land means nothing if there is no capital to develop it.

Mr Odinga said the coalition government has scored significant successes in areas of infrastructure and other reforms but more remains to be done.

He said it was a pity that the land question remains unresolved, close to 50 years since the colonialists left.

"Only a comprehensive solution to the land problem will put the question to rest," Mr Odinga said.

The Prime Minister, who was joined by Cabinet Minister Dr Noah Wekesa, said ODM will be working with leaders from across the political divide saying only such a move will ensure the party take power on its own.

The PM will is set to meet ODM delegates from Trans Nzoia Thursday afternoon.