Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka addresses CORD rally in Wote town/VPPS
Led by the coalition’s flag bearer, Prime Minister, Raila Odinga his running mate Vice President, Kalonzo Musyoka and Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula, the leading lights pledged to transform the economy of the region for the benefit of the local and the country at large.
The teams combed through remote locations for votes before converging at Unoa grounds in Wote town where they unveiled their development plan which they said will post a double digit economic growth annually.
The PM’s team made a series of rallies in Kikima while the VP and the Trade Minister popularised CORD policies at Kasikeu in Emali town before regrouping in Wote town for the joint rally.
The CORD big wigs urged the electorates to vote wisely during the coming polls to ensure that the leadership of the country is in the hands of credible people who pass the integrity test.
Odinga said part of the development agenda the team wanted to prioritise was resolving persistent water scarcity in Ukambani, saying an elaborate programme would be rolled out contain the problem.
He hinted that CORD planned to construct more dams and water pans in arid areas to harvest rain water for domestic use and irrigation during the dry spell.
The premier reiterated his earlier pledge to ensure that the natural resources in the region were exploited to enhance the living standard of the local community.
He said the coal, limestone and iron ore deposits in Ukambani could be extracted for industrial use to create more employment opportunities and income for the communities in the region.
The PM said CORD was determined to develop manufacturing industries in the region to add value to the raw materials which were traditionally exported elsewhere before finished products were shipped back for domestic consumption at exorbitant prices.
The premier cautioned residents that non-reformists who rejected the new constitution at the referendum were now seeking leadership to steer the implementation of the document and warned that such leaders were likely to derail the exercise.
“We can’t trust them with such an important task and that is why we must ensure that we elect only those who believed in the document to fully realize the gains we have made” he said.
Musyoka thanked the people in lower Eastern for warmly receiving the CORD luminaries who have been the area for the past three days.
The vice-president said it was time people in the region rejected being misused politically and support CORD which will guarantee food security poverty alleviation and equal development opportunities.
“Just relax, CORD will bring about a peaceful people led democratic revolution that will guarantee true change for the better by uniting the nation and eliminate negative ethnicity” he said.
Speaking in Kibwezi earlier, Musyoka said CORD would prioritise among other issues the improvement of infrastructure including the tarmacking the Kibwezi-Kitui-Mwingi-Isiolo-Moyale road to link the region with other parts of the country and neighbouring nations.
“After the March 4th general election Kenya will never be the same again under the CORD regime, tribalism is to blame for the aftermath chaos of the 2007 polls” he said.
He cautioned the youth against falling prey to politicians out to misuse them through drug abuse and substance intoxication for their own political gain.
While at Kasikeu in Emali, Wetangula said CORD alliance has a national outlook and support and was a team that could trusted to fully implement the new constitution.
The FORD Kenya leader appealed to the people in the Lower Eastern to vote in Odinga and CORD candidates saying the team comprises experienced and qualified people who are ready the country.
Wetangula said CORD government will guarantee justice for all and equal distribution of resources as well as implement the new constitution to the letter.
“We have the responsibility to restore the country’s and honour as well as serve the needs of the common mwananchi” he said.
Leaders affiliated to the CORD team who addressed the series of rallies in Makueni county included Federal party Leader Cyrus Jirongo, TIP TIP leader Kalembe Ndile, Minister Mutula Kilonzo, Johnston Muthama, Alfred Mutua, Philip Kaloki, David Musila among other CORD aspirants.
About The Author
