The  Azimio-One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga yesterday rallied Kilifi residents to remain firmly in the Orange party despite Governor Amason Kingi’s defection to the rival Kenya Kwanza coalition.

He faulted Kingi’s move to join Kenya Kwanza, terming it as betrayal, especially given that the former premier helped him grow and mature in his political career.

“I took Kingi shortly after he had completed his studies and we went to Gongoni in Magarini where I lifted his hand up. By then the MP for Magarini was Harrison Kombe, who is here with us today but then he was in PNU. I went with Kingi in all the corners of Magarini and they voted for him because he was on my side,” he said.

“He became an MP and I further made him a minister under the Grand Coalition Government. Today, he has turned against me,” Raila regretted.

Speaking at Azimio rally in the county yesterday, the ODM boss said he had seen Kingi’s defection coming a long time ago, adding that the governor’s heart was in Kenya Kwanza from the word go.

He asked Kilifi residents to punish Kingi in the August 9 election so that he would live to regret his decision.

Raila said it is only his government that will create solutions to challenges that have bedevilled the country since independence.

He noted that Kenya still struggles with disease, ignorance and poverty.

“These challenges still exist and the policies we are bringing will help us deal with these ills as other countries have done,” Raila said.

Basic education

“That is why we are saying it is our party ODM and Azimio la Umoja that will bring that change,” he added.

Raila added that his government will ensure every child has access to education, regardless of his background, starting with basic education all the way to the university.

 “Once they complete school, they will get good jobs, not pushing wheelbarrows,” he said.

The former Prime Minister also promised to address issues raised by the Jua Kali sector workers across the country.

He reiterated that he will introduce the Recognition of Prior Learning to have the Jua Kali workers’ skills recognised by the government and other institutions.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho said he has no doubt Kilifi residents will vote for Raila to the last man.

Joho said when ODM was formed, the Coast region rallied behind it through thick and thin.

 According to the governor, the Coast region has contributed immensely to the political growth of ODM through their unwavering support for Raila, and it will be unthinkable to imagine that they can abandon the party and jump ship when it is about to reap its successes.

 “It is not possible that you start building a house, design a floor, roof, windows and doors, then when you are about to move in, you are told to leave. Is it possible?”  Joho asked.