Raila tells elected leaders to stop bickering, deliver on poll pledges

By , January 25, 2024

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) yesterday warned its members against engaging in early campaigns as it undermines ideologies of the party.

Party Leader Raila Odinga condemned politicians from his Nyanza backyard who he termed as notorious for embarking on early campaigns. He urged the elected leaders to deliver on their pledges.

He regretted that some of the party’s elected leaders have started repositioning themselves for the next election which is four years away, while there is nothing to show for their development work. He said the campaigns had also sparked divisions within the party.

“I want to condemn what I have seen in Nyanza and Western; the early politicking. We have just come from an election where some lost and others won. The next election is in 2027. It is very far, so this early campaigns are dividing the party. We ask you to work for the people so that they can elect you based on your development record.

Addressing delegates in Magarini during his third day tour of the Coast region, Raila called for harmony in the party to foster its ideologies without causing unnecessary political frictions. He cautioned that such differences would tear apart the party and give opponents a loophole sneak in.

“I want our members to embrace each other, a party is like a social club, live in peace, so that they can foster the party ideologies, because it’s like a religion, let our elected leaders work together without any friction,” said Raila.

Recruitment drive

He was addressing simmering divisions between Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro and Woman Rep Gertrude Mbeyu. The duo has been at loggerheads since Mbeyu indicated that she would contest the governorship in 2027.

Raila predicted that ODM would sweep the coastal region in the next elections as it has remained its stronghold over the years.

He said the party recruitment exercise targets to strengthen it and reposition itself for the next General-Election.

Raila slammed President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration ideology saying it has not factored key and fundamental human rights starting from food, creation of jobs, education andmedical care.

He also lambasted the government over what he termed as State capture of the Judiciary and Legislature.

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