We must retain by-election seats, says Raila Odinga

Cord leader Raila Odinga now says his party must win both the Homa Bay senatorial and Kajiado parliamentary seats for the Opposition in the coming polls.

Mr Odinga is facing one of the toughest political challenges in his backyard, with ODM’s own disputed opinion poll giving its candidate just 58 per cent lead.

The Cord leader — who this week helped raise Sh10 million to finance both the Homa Bay and Kajiado Central by-elections — said the two seats mean a lot to the Opposition.

“These are mid-term elections for us and they will be an indicator of how the presidential elections in 2017 will be. That is why each and every one of us must fight to ensure we retain both Kajiado Central and Homa Bay,” Mr Odinga said.

ATTACKED SEVERAL TIMES

On Saturday, deputy leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Ford Kenya boss Moses Wetangula toured most parts of Homa Bay county to campaign for ODM candidate Moses Kajwang’ whose controversial nomination has caused a storm.

Mr Kajwang’s convoy has been attacked several times, the latest on Friday at Kochia where he sustained minor injuries after his opponents’ supporters assaulted him.

Mr Kajwang’s campaign has met resistance in many parts of the county. He faces the strongest challenge from former Rangwe MP Philip Okundi of Maendeleo Democratic Party and Mr Hillary Alila, an independent candidate.

“There has never been any doubt in my mind that we are winning Homa Bay. But what worries me now is the margin,” Mr Odinga said.

He said he had dispatched governors from various parts of the country to pitch tent in the area, adding that Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya would lead a team of Cord governors in the campaign from early next week.

He pleaded with party supporters to stick to ODM and back its candidate so as not to give Cord opponents an opportunity to capitalise on the outcomes of the two polls.

“This will show a certain level of commitment to the project — project Moses Otieno Kajwang,” Mr Odinga told party loyalists at the fundraising held at Panafric Hotel on Thursday night.

The coalition allocated Sh6 million of the amount raised to fund Mr Kajwang’s campaign while Sh2.7 million would finance Mr Memusi Kanchory’s campaign in Kajiado Central.

Mr Odinga said the opposition is capable of dislodging the Jubilee government from power.

“Jubilee is running from one mistake to the other. They keep on firefighting. What I want to tell our supporters is that we can easily win this thing (the presidency) if we strategise well this time round,” he said.

LEAD THE PROTEST

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has thrown his weight behind Mr Okundi in a bid to lead the protest against the shambolic nominations conducted by ODM.

Mr Alila said: “We know it is not going to be easy but we are doing our best to ensure we win this seat.”

Karachuonyo politician Jack Nduri said the Okundi campaign is focused on liberating the region from political “neo-colonialism”.

“We know that one of the reasons Mr Odinga is not the president today is the bungling of party primaries. An Okundi will solve this matter once and for all,” Mr Nduri said.

Mr Musyoka and Mr Wetangula on Saturday led the ODM team in petitioning the electoral commission to disqualify Mr Okundi over claims that he incited youth to cause violence in ODM rallies.

Mr Okundi has denied the allegations, saying he had nothing to do with the Friday chaos that saw Mr Kajwang hurt at a funeral.

Bungoma Senator Wetangula said the race in Homa Bay was a dress rehearsal for the next General Election. He asked residents to register and turn out in large numbers to vote for Mr Kajwang’ on February 12.

The prayer service was to prepare way for Cord leaders who have planned to camp in the region, culminating in a major rally on February 10.

Mr Kajwang’ will fight it out with Mr Okundi of the Maendeleo Democratic Party, Fred Rabongo (National Agenda Party) and Mr Alila, an independent candidate who lost to former Senator Otieno Kajwang’ in the last General Election.

Also in the race is Innocent Masara, Prof Luke Misama and Edwin Matete — all independent candidates — as well as Bernard Otieno of the National Vision Party.

Mr Kajwang’ told Ndhiwa voters his suitability for the seat was not in doubt, as teams against his candidature would want them to believe.