Raila to rivals: See you at the ballot

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has fired a warning shot at his political opponents — prepare for a tough fight in next year’s General Election.

Saying he was not afraid of facing politicians forming an alliance to stop him from succeeding President Kibaki next year, the PM said he does not feel besieged by the those ganging up on him.

In a wide-ranging interview with the Sunday Nation, Mr Odinga also dismissed claims that he had lost considerable support in ODM strongholds like the Rift Valley, arguing instead that his party had made significant inroads in regions like central Kenya and Eastern Province which have traditionally not supported him.

“I am not afraid of my opponents at all. I don’t fear competition. Politics without competition will be a dull game,” he said.

The PM accused his opponents of peddling what he called misinformation over the possible prosecution of some individuals at the International Criminal Court with the aim of discrediting his presidential campaign.

Speaking candidly about his perceived dwindling political fortunes since the appearance of the Ocampo Six at The Hague-based court, Mr Odinga accused his opponents of spreading lies and propaganda and dismissed claims that he influenced the choice of the post-election violence suspects.

“My other name is not judge Philip Waki or Kofi Annan. I rooted for a local tribunal together with President Kibaki. We voted for it three times, but the tribunal was rejected by those now saying I took them to The Hague.”

Accusing finger

Without mentioning any names, the PM appeared to point an accusing finger at Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto who have openly declared political war against him.

The two presidential aspirants have joined forces with Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka to craft an alliance aimed at thwarting Mr Odinga in 2012.

Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto are among six individuals the ICC prosecutor wants tried over the 2007-2008 post-election violence, and they blame Mr Odinga for their predicament.

Others are Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, former Police Commissioner Hussein Ali, suspended Cabinet minister Henry Kosgey, and radio journalist Joshua Sang.

Mr Odinga said the process of implementation of the new Constitution was on track and defended Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba over accusations that he was being used to frustrate the process.

He said Mr Namwamba was being targeted for protesting President Kibaki’s subsequently aborted nomination of key constitutional officers.

Mr Odinga, who spoke on a wide range of issues, appeared to blame the military for attacks on Kenyans at the Kenya-Ethiopia border.

Excerpts

Q: ODM is no longer the strong party it used to be since some of its members have switched loyalty in Parliament. Has this not severely weakened your influence in the House?

A: That is a far-fetched argument. There are disagreements in all political parties. Politics without disagreements will be a dull game.

Q: Given the difficulties facing you, ranging from the rebellion in your party and loss of support in some parts of the country, is the Prime Minister finally cornered?

A: I am not under siege. Politics is very dynamic. You start by making a friend, more others and an alliance based on principles.

It is progressive movement. We started with Ford, moved to Ford Kenya, NDP, Narc, ODM, and we’re moving to the next level.

It is political movement, not individuals. In the progression, we gained more friends than we have lost.

Q: How do you plan to regain the ground you have lost in places such as the Rift Valley?

A: We have not lost support... Instead we have broadened our base beyond our traditional strongholds.

Opinion polls show that ODM now has presence in regions such as Central and Eastern provinces.

ODM still remains the most popular party. I am the leader of ODM. How then can you say that I have lost support. I am with the people.

We have lost a few individuals because they are interested in the presidency, and I wish them well.

However, most of the MPs shouting against us in Parliament are one-term MPs who may not see Parliament again.

They are not with the people. Find out how much support they have on the ground.

Some of them have strong opponents who are working with us. They don’t speak for the people. I am comfortable that we’re with the people.

Q: But you are most certainly facing a more formidable opposition since those you worked with in the 2007 have ganged up against you.

A: I am not afraid by opponents ganging up around tribal alliances. I am not discouraged by such people. They don’t own the people.

And I don’t fear competition. Politics without competition will be a dull game. The more the merrier.

My only concern is that their politics is not based on any fundamental issues. And they can’t explain what wrong Raila has done to them. You ask them.

They are saying you took them to the International Criminal Court with the intention of eliminating them from the next presidential election.

That is propaganda and disinformation, and I have been reluctant to respond to it. Those saying so are people who underrate the intelligence of Kenyans.

My other name is not Judge Philip Waki or Kofi Annan. Kenyans know what transpired. I rooted for a local tribunal together with President Kibaki.

We voted for it three times, but the tribunal was rejected by those now saying I took them to The Hague. But propaganda has its limits.

Someone said you can fool some people sometimes, but you can’t fool all the people all the time.

My opponents are successful students of Joseph Goebbels, Adolf Hitler’s minister of propaganda. He believed that a lie repeated many times begins to sound like the truth.

I am not afraid of my opponents at all. All I am saying is that we must address the issue of the post-election violence.

They say they are innocent. They don’t need to worry. If they are innocent, let us find those responsible. Kenyans are saying those responsible must be punished to avert similar violence and ensure justice for the victims.

Q: Does it worry you that President Kibaki is dining with most of your opponents?

A: President Kibaki has a right to associate with anybody. That is democracy. Some of his opponents and those of my rivals have also come to me.

It was expected that 2012 was going to be an easy ride for you, but you seem to be facing more difficulties than in 2007. The next election is certainly do or die for you.

Politics is never an easy game. We never expected it to be easy. People are competing for political power. They will put the best foot forward and fight to the end.

The next election will not be any different. The stronger the competition the better. And the more the candidates the merrier.

I want to win a clean, fair and competitive presidential race. For now what I can only say is that we are equal to the task. We have no worries at all. We are the party to beat.

What is your comment over growing concern that the coalition government, which was set up to specifically push through reforms, has gone off track due to narrow political fights?

We are on course. The relationship between key players in the coalition is stable. There are regular consultations and meetings amongst the reform partners to push through the coalition’s agenda. We have made some gains.

Though there is improvement in the economy, we are concerned about the increasing cost of living due to rising inflation which has led to the increased cost of basic commodities, fuel and food.

You realise that Cotu has been putting pressure for the increase in salaries, but that is not the solution. Inflation and the rise of global fuel prices has a spiral effect which leads to the increase in the cost of rent and transport and other services.

Increasing the wage bill can scare investors who will then move to others economies where wages are competitive. What we are experiencing is a global challenge.

The commission on implementation of the new constitution has sounded the alarm that politics could derail the process.

I am optimistic we will be able to pass minimum laws required before the next elections. Parliament has functional institutions, and it is aware of the work that needs to be done.

But is this possible given the shenanigans such as those in Committee on Legal Affairs blamed on members of your party?

That is just a storm in a tea cup. It is nothing about the character of Ababu Namwamba, the chairman.

It is a desire for control of the committee. ODM ceded ground to the PNU in the committee, and Namwamba’s only crime is recording a minority opinion that President Kibaki’s so-called nominations were unconstitutional.

He is being crucified for voicing an opinion shared by the Attorney-General, Chief Justice, the Commission of Implementation of the Constitution and Parliament.

Kenyans are crying over the rising cost of living. Are we likely to see a decline in fuel prices in the near future?

Not in the near future, but the government is trying to cushion the local consumers from the high prices. As long as the crisis in the Middle East persists, we will continue to experience difficulties. The solution is less dependence on fossil fuel.

Comment on the recent killing of Kenyans living near the Ethiopia border and the tension in Lake Victoria triggered by Uganda over disputed islands.

On the Ethiopia border raid: It is unfortunate that Kenyans are losing lives in their own territory. It is a lapse in security, especially by our defence forces which have the constitutional mandate to deal with external aggression.

We are capable of defending our territory. I will prepare a report which I will present to Cabinet over the security matter. We’ll seek compensation and resettlement of the victims for the victims.

The survey on the islands in Lake Victoria which have been the cause of friction with Uganda is almost complete, and we are confident of a solution. So, too, for the Kenya-Sudan border.