Terming his earlier campaigns as a warm up for presidency, Raila said real politics that would enable Kenyans to “separate wheat from chuff” has just begun.
He said he has already rolled out his presidential campaigns and called on Kenyans to ignore tribal groupings and vote for his ODM party which has a national appeal.
“Others started their presidential race more than a year ago. I have just started mine and I promise them that it will be a stiff battle, “he said on Monday in Narok.
The PM said his campaigns would be issue oriented and added that the coming elections presented a chance for the rebirth of Kenya.
Democracy
He said he has been consistent in the fight for democracy and promised not to leave anything to chance to ensure that his dream was achieved in the ballot box come the next polls.
He said the real political euphoria was yet to begin and added that ODM and majority of Kenyans who subscribed to democracy are not scared of political alliances that were being crafted.
The PM asked Kenyans to elect credible people who would not grab their resources like land.
“Those with grabbed land will never resolve land injustices. Hyenas cannot take care of the sheep. You cannot put your herd of cattle under the care of a lion,” said the PM.
He asked Kenyans to look also into the character of those they elect saying those who have stolen land will never address historical injustices over land.
He added: “If Kenyans want land and other injustices that have been meted out on them addressed, they must vote for those who can implement the Constitution.”
Opposers
“The election of 1963 ended colonial rule. The one of 2013 will end the era of bad rule and institutionalised dictatorship. We must not allow those who opposed the coming of the new order to preside over it,” the PM said.
He called for election of leaders who have faith in devolution of power and resources saying centralisation had left sections of the country marginalised.
“I appeal to all those who have attained voting age to turn out and register as voters, then vote for those who can be entrusted with the Constitution. We must watch out against those who opposed it because they will not implement it,” the PM said.
He promised to address the land injustices that have been inflicted on the Maasai community and other minority groups if he wins the presidency, warning that politicians who were against the formulation of the new Constitution have regrouped to ensure that the document is not implemented to the letter because it would hurt their interests.
He said minority groups and especially the Maasai have suffered more historical injustices in Kenya adding that successive regimes have refused to address the plight of the communities.
Speaking during two political rallies at Otepesi and Nairegi Enkare in Narok North, the PM said the Maasai lost huge chunks of grazing land in the 1904 agreement forced on them by the British colonial authorities.
“The colonial administration made the Maasai sign a document they did not understand and one on which they were not consulted,” the PM said.
He asked the community to register in large numbers and vote for ODM so that the party can address the land injustices.
“If you want these injustices addressed, you must vote for those who can implement the constitution,” the PM said and expressed optimism that his party will sweep majority seats in Parliament and the counties.
Heritage Minister William ole Ntimama and assistant minister Joseph Nkaissery who attended the rallies called for a rejection of TNA/URP political deal, saying it aims to ensure the country’s leadership remain in the hands of two communities.
Two communities
“Kenya is a country for all its communities. The deal wants to turn the country into some sort of dynasty where it is a preserve of only two communities to rule. Kenyans should reject it,” said Ntimama who hosted the PM.
Nkaissery said the TNA/URP deal would not hold and asked Kenyans to vote for Odinga who has proven abilities to change their lives for the better.
Source: The Standard Digital
