Raila, Kalonzo say Nasa will fix problems in the country
Nasa leaders Raila Odinga (second right) and Kalonzo Musyoka (second left) wave to a crowd at Laare stadium in Igembe North Constituency, in Meru on February 27, 2017. They are with ODM deputy elections director Bob Njagi (left) and Kajiado Central MP Memusi Kanchori (right). The leaders accused the government of tribalism and corruption. PHOTO|NMG
What you need to know:
- Mr Raila Odinga and Mr Kalonzo Musyoka campaigned in Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties where they told locals that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, Mr William Ruto, were practising tribal politics but that will not help them in the August election.
Nairobi. The National Super Alliance on Monday went vote-hunting in Jubilee’s Mt Kenya stronghold, where they accused the government of tribalism and corruption and promised to fix the problems facing the people.
Mr Raila Odinga and Mr Kalonzo Musyoka campaigned in Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties where they told locals that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, Mr William Ruto, were practising tribal politics but that will not help them in the August election.
The two were earlier blocked from the Meru bus terminus by youth chanting Jubilee slogans who barricaded the entrance with rocks.
But they were able to speak at an alternative venue in Meru town as well as Laare and Kiutine markets in Igembe North and Central sub-counties.
Speaking at Laare market, Mr Odinga said it was time Kenyans and their politicians focused on politics that brought unity and fostered development. The former Prime Minister said some counties labelled as Jubilee strongholds have shifted their support to Nasa.
“Kenyans have the reason, ability and will to remove Jubilee from power. Corruption and tribalism in the country are on an immeasurable level and we must change for the betterment of our people,” Mr Odinga said, criticising the President and his deputy for allegedly ruling the country on an ethnic basis.
Mr Musyoka said a wave of change is blowing across Africa and Kenya will not be left behind.
“Before election you’ll hear talk about Mt Kenya which diminishes after the polls. That has a political meaning and voters should be wary,” Mr Musyoka said in Meru town.
He said Jubilee supporters, including Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi, have now realised that it was a mistake to merge parties to form Jubilee and asked those unhappy to jump ship and join Nasa.
They went out of their way to woo Meru governor Peter Munya who is the Party of National Unity leader to join the outfit. Governor Munya, said Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka, was supportive of devolution, just like Nasa is.
“As a government, we will allocate 45 per cent of national resources to counties instead of the meagre 15 per cent given by Jubilee,” said Mr Odinga.
“Mr Munya stands for what is truthful and just. We welcome him to Nasa,” he said.
On the miraa issue, they questioned a government initiative allocating Sh1 billion to cushion farmers from the effects of an international ban. They said a task force formed to look into the issue is yet to make public its report after the deadline elapsed. (NMG)
