Nasa traverses western for votes
Nasa presidential candidate Raila Odinga addresses Nasa supporters at Prophet Owuor Grounds in Kisumu on August 3, 2017. Raila Odinga called for a strong voter turnout. PHOTO | ONDARI OGEGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Odinga said Jubilee leadership had failed to deliver their development promises to Kenyans.
- Mr Musyoka challenged the IEBC to assure Kenyans of conducting a free, fair and credible election.
National Super Alliance leaders last evening completed their campaigns in Nyanza with a plea to residents to turn out to vote and change the government for their own good.
At a rally in Kisumu, Nasa presidential candidate Raila Odinga called for a strong turnout, perhaps learning from a previous lesson in 2013 when his failure to clinch the seat was partly blamed on voter apathy.
VOTERS
This was as Nasa co-principal Moses Wetang’ula encouraged the electorate saying IEBC had ensured a maximum of 700 voters per polling station.
And as the Nasa principals pitched their agenda in Kakamega, Busia and Kisumu counties, their eyes were on the estimated 2.2 million voters in the region, including those in Migori, Siaya and Homa Bay counties.
“We only have two options. We will win, and must win. We cannot lose,” co-principal Musalia Mudavadi said to a crowd at Prophet Owuor Grounds in Kisumu.
“It is now or never,” Kalonzo Musyoka, Mr Odinga’s running mate, added.
SUPPORT
At Bukhungu stadium in Kakamega, Mr Musyoka said they had gained immense support across the country in the last two months where they had campaigned aggressively.
“We launched our presidential campaigns here and have since engaged in a series of rallies across the country.
"We have only four days to August 8. I want us to stage a revolt vote,” he said.
CORRUPTION
In Kisumu, they chided Jubilee for “perfecting corruption” during the last four years, claiming Sh350 billion had been stolen or remained unaccounted for since 2013.
Mr Odinga claimed that Jubilee government has been excluding other communities and cautioned President Kenyatta against threatening chiefs with the sack.
“Any chief sacked by Jubilee today has a direct ticket for employment by the Nasa government next week,” he said.
MURDERS
Mr Musyoka on the other hand challenged the IEBC to assure Kenyans of conducting a free, fair and credible election after the brutal murder of its ICT manager, Mr Chris Msando.
He said Kenyans won’t accept any electronic failure and called on Nasa supporters not to let Mr Odinga down on the voting day.
PUBLIC DEBT
In a change of strategy, the Nasa running mate asked youth to vote, go for tea and return to the polling stations during counting.
He was reacting to the warning by acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and IEBC requiring voters to remain 400 metres from the polling stations.
Mr Odinga expressed confidence in winning, saying the country’s debt and corruption levels were enough reasons to vote out Jubilee.
INDUSTRIAL PARK
The Nasa flagbearer added that if elected next week, his administration would borrow a leaf from Tanzanian president, and friend, Mr John Pombe Magufuli, on fighting corruption.
He reiterated the Nasa government will set up an industrial park in Kakamega and give people money to start businesses.
PLEDGES
Mr Odinga, who earlier on campaigned in Busia County before heading to Kakamega and later Dr Owuor Grounds in Kisumu, said Jubilee leadership had failed to deliver their development promises to Kenyans.
“We have suffered in Sinai desert. On August 8, Kenyans will cross River Jordan being led by Joshua (Odinga) and Caleb (Musyoka).
"By midday, we will be in Jericho and by night we will be in Jerusalem. No one will go back to Egypt,” he said.
Addressing supporters in Malaba, where he was with Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong, Mr Odinga said Jubilee deliberately side-lined youth in terms of border post jobs for vested interests.
Reported by Justus Ochieng, Derick Luvega, Victor Raballa, Gaitano Pessa and Linet Wafula.
