Jubilee has failed Kenyans, vote it out: Raila

ODM party leader Raila Odinga has accused the Jubilee administration of being preoccupied with re-election campaigns at the expense of honouring its election pledges.

He challenged the government to show Kenyans its performance record, saying it was unacceptable for Jubilee leadership to be campaigning for a second term when the country had sunk deep into debt and corruption.

Billions of shillings lost in the National Youth Service scandals and the Euro Bond saga could have been used to improve roads and other infrastructure in the country, he said at Sabatia market in Butere constituency at the start of a five-day tour of Kakamega County.

Mr Odinga asked Kenyans to vote out Jubilee for failing to fulfil the promises its leaders made when they were elected in 2013.

He asked communities in western region to firmly support him in next year’s election, saying he had a good chance of clinching the presidency this time.

“They have instead developed a new tactic of holding sectorial summits at State House every week to discuss blue prints,” said the ODM leader.

“If you vote for me, I’m confident of clinching the presidency and I will ensure this region gets its rightful share of resources for development projects,” said the former Prime Minister, whose tour of Kakamega is meant to help him tighten his grip on western Kenya, which overwhelmingly voted for him in 2013.

The visit comes in the wake of a sustained onslaught by Jubilee-friendly MPs from Kakamega County who have been campaigning to win support for President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Jubilee party in 2017.

Mr Odinga said ODM would not complain about stolen elections any more since the party had come up with proper strategies to clinch an outright victory.

“Jubilee has let down Kenyans badly in the four years they have been in power. They should give a scorecard of what they have done instead of making unfulfilled promises each day in the hope that they will win a second term in office in 2017,” said Mr Odinga, adding that ordinary Kenyans were suffering because Jubilee had borrowed heavily from donors and the money had ended up in the pockets of individuals.

Mr Odinga, who was warmly welcomed in Butere and Khwisero constituency by ODM supporters, addressed roadside rallies at Manyulia, Manyala and Bukura, before heading to Khwisero market.

IGNORE JUBILEE
He asked President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto to stop hoodwinking Kenyans with empty promises a year to the next General Election.

Mr Odinga said the summits organised at State House to discuss ways of promoting reforms in various sectors, including infrastructure, energy, agriculture and tourism were meant to give the impression that Jubilee was serious about its development agenda.

The ODM chief, who was accompanied by the deputy party leader and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, asked communities in western region to ignore overtures from Jubilee.

He said he was confident about the leadership of Governor Oparanya, whom he described as focused and hardworking.

Governor Oparanya asked the national government to transfer its 20 per cent shares in Mumias Sugar Company to the county government if it was serious about turning around the miller.

At Khwisero grounds, the Kakamega Woman representative Rachael Ameso was forced to cut short her speech after a hostile crowd booed and heckled her when she was invited to address the gathering.

Today, Mr Odinga will take his campaigns to Shinyalu and Ikolomani constituencies.

Mr Odinga was accompanied by MPs, among others, Andrew Toboso (Butere), John Mbadi (Suba), Moses Kajwang (Homa Bay), Wilberforce Otichilo (Emuhaya), Florence Mutua (Busia), Raphael Otalo (Lurambi) and Opiyo Wandai (Ugunja).

Mr Mbadi said it was time Kenyans voted out Jubilee, adding that Mr Odinga had what it takes to lead the country.

“We cannot be ruled by one tribe and a half. Let us prepare to remove the corrupt government from power come 2017 elections by voting in our party leader,” he said and announced that party primaries would be held next year between February and March.

On Monday, Mr Odinga met MPs, ward representatives and elders from Butere and Khwisero constituencies at the Kisa Homes Guest House before addressing his first rally at Manyula market.

Some MPs, led by UDF’s Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East), have stepped up campaigns to prepare the ground for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit to western Kenya.