By: N. George
Worth Noting:
- He reminded them of the year 2002 when he was in Nyahururu drumming up support for former president Mwai Kibaki contrary to the expectation of many who doubted that he meant it but it came to be as Kibaki was voted as the president by majority of Kenyans including those from Odinga’s Nyanza backyard. He urged the voters to unite saying that whenever they had done so in the past they have witness success citing 2002 general elections where president Kibaki garnered 95 percent of his community votes.
- “Some people thought no Luo can vote for a Kikuyu candidate due to historical differences between Jomo Kenyatta and Jaramogi but I convinced our elders and told them that there is no enemity between the two communities what was there were political ideology differences between Kenyatta and Jaramogi” Odinga stated.
Former Prime minister and ODM party leader Hon. Raila Odinga yesterday continued to make inroads into the vote rich Mt Kenya region by touring Nyandarua County to popularize his presidential bid under Azimio la Umoja initiative in the August general elections.
In his address Raila said that his first time to visit Nyandarua was during the burial of former Nyandarua North MP JM Kariuki who was assassinated in 1975, Kariuki was a friend to both Raila and his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Appreciative of the reception he received and the talks he had with Nyandarua residents Odinga took to twitter in the evening and congratulated for the good discussion they held during the day.
“Hats off to the people of Nyandarua for a wholesome engagement full of great submissions. Our vision for a better Nation is taking shape. Change is coming. #OneLove #Inawezekana “ Odinga tweeted.
During the visit he laid foundation stone for the Mashujaa Complex at the J.M. Kariuki Memorial County Referral hospital, Nyandarua and termed JM Kariuki as a person who gave his all for our nation therefore he deserves a central place in our nation’s history.
He expressed his awareness that Nyandarua county depends on agrarian economy noting that even during the colonial days it was part of the white highlands adding that its importance as one of the food basket for the country cannot be underestimated with a huge chunk of farm produce like Irish potatoes, cabbages and fruits consumed in Nairobi being produced in Nyandarua.
He noted the concerns of the previous speakers who spoke about issues of high costs of farm inputs like fertilizer, planting seeds and fuel costs are the major drawback to agribusiness as they increase costs of production lowering the profit margins of the farmers.
Citing nations like the USA, UK, Germany, France and Netherlands which subsidize farming so as to ensure there is food security he reiterated the need for the Kenyan government to follow suit and promised his government will do so thereby enable farmers to obtain benefits commensurate with their efforts.
He emphasized on the need for value addition as a way of increasing returns to farmers, encouraging masses to engage in agriculture thus creating employment opportunities.
“We want to see if we can build industries which will do value addition to crops which coming from agriculture and this will go a long way in giving employment to our youths,” Raila stated.
He condemned those involving themselves with hate speech saying that every Kenyan has a right to live and work in any location within the country and no one should be discriminated.
“Nobody is here because of another. You are here because you are here, you are a Kenyan and this is part of Kenya. Our people have the right to live and work in any part of our country without being discriminated. We shall unite Kenyans under Azimio la Umoja.” Odinga said.
He reminded them of the year 2002 when he was in Nyahururu drumming up support for former president Mwai Kibaki contrary to the expectation of many who doubted that he meant it but it came to be as Kibaki was voted as the president by majority of Kenyans including those from Odinga’s Nyanza backyard. He urged the voters to unite saying that whenever they had done so in the past they have witness success citing 2002 general elections where president Kibaki garnered 95 percent of his community votes.
“Some people thought no Luo can vote for a Kikuyu candidate due to historical differences between Jomo Kenyatta and Jaramogi, but I convinced our elders and told them that there is no enemity between the two communities what was there were political ideology differences between Kenyatta and Jaramogi” Odinga stated.
He talked of Baba care health services which will cater for medical charges free of charge.
Single parents will also enjoy government fund to help them raise they families as they will be treated as a special category.
The unemployed Kenyans both in urban and rural areas will be enjoy social protection where they will be provided with KES 6000 per month to cater for expenses.
Murang’a woman representative promised to spread the gospel of the Odinga development agenda so as to woo the residents to vote for his presidential candidacy come August elections.
Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya urged members of parliament to take serious the house business which is their primary mandate and not sabotage it due to their political inclinations.
The host governor Francis Kimemia assured Odinga support of the voters of Nyandarua
“Rest assured you have our support, and we will continue to popularize you in our region,” Kimemia said.
He was accompanied by members of parliament from both the ruling Jubilee party and his ODM party who included MPs Junet Muhamed Suna East constituency, Babu Owino Embakasi East, Jeremiah Kioni Ndaragwa, Kanini Kega Kieni constituency, Amos Kimunya Kipipiri Constituency, Maina Kamanda nominated, Peter Kenneth former Gatanga MP, Ngugi IG nominated senator and Sabina Chege Murang’a County women representative among others. The host governor Francis Kimemia was present as well as Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho, Nakuru governor Lee Kinyanjui and former Nyandarua governor Waithaka Mwangi. Sicily Kariuki the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Water and Sanitation who hails from the host county was present in the rally.
Dennis Dibondo