Raila warns against ‘deceptive’ ruling coalition

Cord leader Raila Odinga on Monday made a surprise visit to Kisii County, where he hit out at leaders from the community championing Abagusii unity ahead of next year’s General Election.

The opposition coalition’s co-principal said the caucus led by Kisii Senator Chris Obure was “misguided” in its attempt to put the region under one political umbrella. He also cautioned local leaders not to be misled by the Jubilee government.

“I have no problem with leaders visiting State House,” said the ODM party leader. “They should however know that they will only be given empty promises and porojo (aimless talk), which will not benefit the voters.

“Jubilee is just misusing these individuals by giving them peremende (sweets) and pledges that it does not intend to fulfil in order to deceive voters in the region.”

Last week, ward representatives from Kisii and Nyamira counties were hosted by President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House and tasked to convince the electorate to abandon the opposition. Then, the President announced a raft of development promises for both counties, including a Sh780 million for health projects in Nyamira.

Two weeks ago, Senator Obure and a host of other Members of Parliament also visited State House to discuss “development issues”.

On Monday, Mr Odinga rubbished the ruling coalition’s forays into the region, saying they were bound to fail as Cord was still the party to beat in the 2017 polls.

“ODM is a national party for all Kenyans,” he said. “The issue of a few individuals trying to shepherd the community into a tribal alliance for the sake of development is irrelevant and misguided.”

“Development is not achieved through visits by politicians to State House but is planned by the government through the parliamentary budget process,” Mr Odinga told the Nation.

MAINTAIN PARTY'S GRIP

Sources at a closed-door meeting also attended by Kisii Governor James Ongwae and Kitutu-Masaba MP and ODM National Treasurer Timothy Bosire said the ODM leader was unhappy with the latest manoeuvres by Jubilee to woo elected members of his party.

“Mr Odinga urged us to stand firm and maintain the party’s grip on the region,” said the source, who sought anonymity. “Members were also unanimous in their resolve to revamp the party and mount a strong challenge to the Jubilee onslaught in the region.”

The party is, however, yet to take formal disciplinary measures against perceived “rebels” seen as leaning towards Jubilee.

Mr Bosire and Governor Ongwae reiterated their support for ODM, saying the region was still an opposition stronghold. Mr Ongwae, the ODM branch vice-chairman, said he was in the party to stay and was confident of its victory.

“We are not moving from Cord and are preparing to take part in the elections as a stronger, united and revamped party,” he said.
Mr Bosire asked defectors to make their departure official.

However, Kisii County Assembly Speaker Kerosi Ondieki, the ODM first deputy chairman, skipped the meeting. Also conspicuously absent were Senators Obure and Janet On’gera (nominated), who was reportedly in South Africa.

Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi, Woman Rep Mary Otara and MPs Richard Onyonka (Kitutu-Chache South), Simeon Ogari (Bomachoge-Chache) and Manson Nyamweya (South Mugirango) were also absent.

At the burial of Mzee Silvanus Magaiwa at Mabera Village, Kuria West Constituency, Mr Odinga wondered why the government let tobacco farming in Kuria die yet top State officials were “serial cigarette smokers”. He was flanked by Migori Governor Okoth Obado.

Migori Senator Wilfred Machage, who has of late been critical of ODM, skipped the function. He told the Nation he was in Zambia.