Raila Odinga blames Jubilee for 'running down the economy'

Nasa flag bearer Raila Odinga addressing mourners at Murono Primary School grounds in Mumias on May 27, 2017 during burial of former Mumias MP Francis Opongite. He urged voters to reject Jubilee. PHOTO | ISAAC WALE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Raila challenged President Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto to explain why Jubilee had failed to deal with rampant corruption and create jobs to tackle poverty and unemployment among rural communities.
  • Mr Mudavadi said he had decided to sacrifice his ambition to contest the presidency in 2017 to boost chances for the opposition coalition to defeat Jubilee.
  • Mr Odinga said the President and his Deputy had acted in bad faith and could not be trusted by Kenyans.

Nasa has promised to cushion Kenyans against high cost of living within 90 days if its presidential flagbearer Raila Odinga clinches victory on August 8.

Mr Odinga asked voters to reject the Jubilee administration “for running down the economy” and making many unfulfilled pledges after ascending to power in 2013.

“The time is up for Kenyans to pass the verdict by sending Jubilee packing for lying about improving their livelihoods in the last four-and-a-half years,” said Mr Odinga.

He challenged President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto to explain why Jubilee had failed to deal with rampant corruption and create jobs to tackle poverty and unemployment among rural communities.

The former PM was addressing mourners at Muroni Primary School grounds in Mumias East constituency, Kakamega County, during the burial of former Mumias MP Francis Obongita.

TARMAC ROADS

Mr Odinga was accompanied by Nasa co-principal Musalia Mudavadi, Siaya Senator James Orengo, Homabay Woman Rep Gladys Wanga, nominated MP Dr Oburu Oginga and Lugari MP Ayub Savula among other leaders.

Earlier in Kakamega, Mr Odinga met aspirants vying for various elective seats on an ODM ticket.  

At the burial, Mr Odinga took the Jubilee administration to task over its pledges to tarmac 10,000 kilometres of roads across the country, insecurity and the high cost of living.

WRONG DIRECTION

“I am asking Kenyans to prepare to send Jubilee home on August 8 for driving the country in the wrong direction and making empty promises,” said Mr Odinga.

Mr Mudavadi and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya asked the Luhya community to remain steadfast in their support for Mr Odinga.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who arrived late at the funeral, asked the community to vote as a bloc to ensure Mr Odinga clinched victory.

“We have a deal with Mr Odinga to support him in 2017 after he agreed to serve for one term,” said Dr Khalwale.

Mr Mudavadi said he had decided to sacrifice his ambition to contest the presidency in 2017 to boost chances for the opposition coalition to defeat Jubilee.

SUPPORT HIM
He revisited a meeting he had with President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto just before the 2013 General Election at which, he claimed, they promised to support him in his bid for the presidency.

“Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto came to my house and told me they had decided to back me for the presidency in 2013. I went ahead and invited them for a cup of tea and we later signed an agreement, which they disowned two days later,” said Mr Mudavadi.

He said the President and his Deputy had acted in bad faith and could not be trusted by Kenyans.

And the political tussle between Governor Oparanya and Senator Khalwale played out at the burial.

HONOUR SUMMONS

Governor Oparanya said he was not worried by threats to have him barred from seeking re-election for failing to honour summons by the Senate committee to respond to audit queries on the use of finances in the county.

He accused Senator Khalwale of instigating the summons in the hope that he could have an easy time to clinch the governor’s seat if the incumbent is locked out. 

“I want to assure my supporters that my name will be on the ballot come August 8. The push by the Senators to have me barred is a waste of time,” said Mr Oparanya.

Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali on his part accused Mr Odinga of applying double standards in his crusade against graft.

INVOLVED IN GRAFT

Mr Washiali, who is a key Jubilee pointman in Kakamega County, challenged Mr Odinga not to shy away from condemning his allies accused of being involved in graft.

“Mr former Prime Minister, the people of Mumias love you so much and I appeal to you to address the predicament that has befallen the sugar industry because of mismanagement by people close to you,” said Mr Washiali. 

But his claim was met with furious rebuttals from the charged crowd of mourners who chanted Jubilee Tawe!! Jubilee Tawe!!  (No Jubilee, no Jubilee). 

Mr Savula asked Kenyans to come out in large numbers on August 8 to cast their votes for Mr Odinga.

-Additional reporting by Shaban Makokha