Wako: Stop 2022 polls talk and focus on progress

Busia Senator Amos Wako has urged politicians to tone down 2022 politics and give the building bridges task force ample time to collect opinions from Kenyans regarding the country’s unity.

Mr Wako regretted that a lot of time and energy is being spent on the next general election, instead of focusing on development.

He said the debate is derailing the task force’s efforts to engage Kenyans soberly, since the focus has shifted to personalities and who will capture power instead of issues.

“People are now thinking about personality politics instead of soberly debating issues. This task force is conducting a serious exercise, which aims to address and provide solutions to problems that have afflicted the country since independence, and during general elections,” he noted.

INCLUSIVITY

The Senator who was speaking during the homecoming of Nang’oma Chief Hellen Ngome in Matayos Constituency, said the team is focused on unifying the country at both the national and county levels.

“I appeal to President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga to devolve their handshake to the grassroots. A number of counties, including Busia, were seriously affected by the aftermath of last year’s elections,” he said.

Mr Wako said the affected counties should not feel excluded from matters pertaining to the country’s leadership, since the March 9 “handshake” between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Odinga was about inclusivity.

The legislator said that the team has so far visited eight counties, but intends to cover all 47 before compiling a report and making recommendations.

CANDIDATE

He dismissed claims that he is an absentee senator, saying he understands his job description well, since he has vast legal experience.

“I am not a governor, MP or MCA, who always has to be on the ground. My role is to oversee and ensure prudent use of public resources. This is the reason many suspects are in court over embezzlement of funds,” he said.

Mr Wako’s remarks came as his fellow Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) colleagues continued debating on who the party’s presidential candidate should be in 2022.

Nyatike MP Tom Odege, Busia Woman Representative Florence Mutua and her Kisumu counterpart Rosa Buyu insist that Mr Odinga should vie for presidency in the next general election.

Mr Odege argues that party members should be allowed to determine their presidential candidate.

UNITY

Speaking during the finals of the National Government Affirmative Action Fund tournaments organised by Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga at Homa Bay High School on Saturday, the MP said it is their duty, as ODM foot soldiers, to speak their mind and tell Mr Odinga what they want.

“We understand the structure of the party. As members, we categorically say that our party leader Raila Odinga should not take anything less than the presidency. ODM will decide who will contest the presidency on its ticket, but it will not decide alone,” Mr Odege said.

The Nyatike MP said other party members are planning to meet the election board to explain he issue to them.

Meanwhile, Ms Mutua said Mr Odinga has a lot of potential to unite Kenyans and help fight corruption, which has rocked many government institutions.

DEVELOPMENT

She said his “handshake” with President Kenyatta is a good indication that he is a progressive leader.

Ms Mutua said women leaders in the party will support Mr Odinga’s candidature.

Ms Buyu and Ms Wanga thanked the President for approving the Affirmative Action Funds, which have enabled women representatives to undertake development programmes in the country.