ODM unveils plans for Raila campaign tours across Kenya
Cord leader Raila Odinga addresses a rally in Ekwanda Luanda Constituency, Vihiga County, on July 19, 2016. Cord leader plans to begin a three-month tour across the country in a bid to win support in next year’s elections. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Cord leader will traverse the country for three months to consolidate support.
- He will start drive in his strongholds in the early stages before raiding Jubilee regions.
- This weekend, he will be in Uasin Gishu and Marakwet, and later Busia.
- In western Kenya, Mr Odinga will hold rallies in Kakamega and Bungoma counties.
- Opposition MPs from the Coast region, western Kenya and Kisii have been deserting Cord.
Cord leader Raila Odinga is this weekend set to begin a three-month tour across the country in a bid to win support in next year’s elections.
ODM chairman John Mbadi on Tuesday said that the weekend rallies which begin on Saturday will target Mr Odinga’s strongholds before moving to Jubilee’s.
On Saturday and Sunday, Mr Odinga will be in Uasin Gishu and Marakwet counties.
“We have done Vihiga, Busia and parts of Kakamega County,” said Mr Mbadi.
In western Kenya, Mr Odinga will hold rallies in Kakamega and Bungoma counties.
“We shall then move to Trans Nzoia and West Pokot counties before going to Coast (Mombasa, Taita Taveta, Kwale and Kilifi) then move to Kisii and Nyamira and later visit the Luo Nyanza counties,” said Mr Mbadi.
Mr Odinga — the Cord and ODM leader — is fighting to maintain a grip on his political strongholds in the face of an onslaught from the ruling Jubilee Coalition which has launched an aggressive campaign in regions that voted en-masse for Mr Odinga in 2013.
Opposition MPs from the Coast region, western Kenya and Kisii have been deserting Cord.
Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba and his Funyula counterpart, Dr Paul Otuoma, are among the leaders who have broken ranks with Mr Odinga. Last month, the two also resigned as party secretary-general and vice-chairman respectively.
WRITING ON THE WALL
Mr Namwamba, an ally-turned-critic of Mr Odinga, on Monday claimed that the Cord leader’s close confidants were wrecking his quest for the presidency for personal gain.
His successor as ODM secretary-general, Dr Agnes Zani, on Tuesday said the party leaders will face the electorate directly. She warned ODM legislators working with Jubilee that they would be on their own.
“Let the leaders make whatever steps they want to but the people will make their own decisions when the right time comes,” she said.
According to her, the mood on the ground, especially in ODM strongholds, had not changed despite the shifting alliances by some leaders.
The opposition party’s Treasurer Timothy Bosire said the writing was on the wall for leaders who had “gone to bed with Jubilee.”
Mr Bosire cited the Monday protests by ODM enthusiasts in Kisii Town against last week’s State House visit by legislators from the region.
He said the protest was a sign of bad things ahead for the leaders.
“That is exactly the mood on the ground. The more they go to Jubilee the more they will face hostility. Our bases are intact and we will now start hunting in Jubilee bases,” Mr Bosire said.
