Take fight against graft down to counties, Raila says

ODM leader Mr Raila Odinga has said that the fight against graft should be cascaded down to the county level.

Speaking during the burial of former Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech's mother, Mama Mary Oliech, Mr Odinga raised concerns over the rising cases of corruption and impunity.

"We are supporting the ongoing efforts by the national government and Nairobi county administration to evict people who have built on riparian land and other non-designated areas," he said when he attended the funeral at Ratta in Seme Sub County.

Mr Odinga appealed to other governors to also join the call and ensure that those who have defied the law are dealt with to safeguard the environment.

HANDSHAKE

He assured Kenyans that the handshake between him and President Uhuru Kenyatta will take Kenya on the right trajectory as the country tries to unite after a divisive general election.

"I am sure everyone has started feeling the effects of the handshake and Building Bridges Initiative which is meant to take the country in the right direction," he said.

Kisumu women representative Rosa Buyu also called on President Kenyatta to remain stern and not spare anyone found to be violating the law.

"President Kenyatta has become very decisive and surprised people who thought that he was too soft to face the graft cartels head on," she said.

She called on Kenyans to support the process in order to achieve tangible economic growth and a cohesive country.

Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o pointed out that the working together of the two leaders will help the Jubilee administration achieve the Big Four agenda as President Kenyatta aims to bequeath Kenyans with a lasting legacy after his second term in office.

SACRED COW
"As a county, we are also working to ensure that the right thing is done and there is not going to be a sacred cow," said Prof Nyong'o.

Makadara MP George Aladwa said that the handshake has not killed Mr Odinga's ambition to succeed President Kenyatta in 2022.

"As far as we are concerned, Mr Odinga is still our choice for President in 2022," said Mr Aladwa.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino reiterated that they would not go against the decision of the party. Mr Odinga described Mama Oliech as an embodiment of reasons, a highly spirited woman, an industrious woman, brilliant and passionate in promoting raw talents.

Other leaders who hailed the deceased for her industrious and hardworking nature included Seme MP James Nyikal and former legislator Elizabeth Ongoro.

EIGHT CHILDREN
She has left behind eight children, including football star Andrew Oyombe. Mr Oyombe described his mother as a unifying figure who brought the family together.

His sister Sarah Oliech said she learnt her entrepreneurship skill through her mother as she always involved her in running her errands.

She however reiterated that the family remains united despite the earlier differences on the date of the burial date.

"It was necessary that we had to push the date by one week to allow the family finalise on some few issues before giving our mother a befitting send off," she said.

And speaking in Kisii yesterday at the close of the weeklong inter-county sports tournament, Mr Odinga said his journey to Canaan still remain on course.

BEARING FRUITS

He said nobody can stop a process that has already begun bearing fruits for the country.

“The journey to building the bridges is stead and on course to ensure the country gets the peace and tranquillity to prosper,” Mr Odinga said. He said his famed handshake with the president has fostered the unity without which the country could grind to a halt.

More than 28 counties participated in the event.

Mr Odinga said he made a deliberate step to reach out to President Uhuru Kenyatta in a spirit of reconciliation to help the country heal from a fractured past. He said all they wanted was a country where everybody could feel safe and enjoy the fruits of their labour.