NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 13 -ODM leader Raila Odinga has called for unity across the country for economic prosperity.
During a tour of Kajiado County on Monday, the former Prime Minister said no economic model can succeed in a divided country.
Odinga was in the county to popularise his Azimio La Umoja initiative, his new political slogan as he prepares to launch his 5th stab at the presidency in the 2022 General Election.
ODM leader Raila Odinga is welcome to Kajiado County by area Governor Joseph Ole Lenku during a a meeting to popularise his Azimio La Umoja initiative on September 13, 2021.
“We recognize that for prosperity and growth, we need unity and stability. No economic or governance model, however well crafted, can thrive in an environment of chaos, disunity and instability,” he told the meeting that brought together local leaders among them area Governor Joseph Ole Lenku.
Odinga is touted as one of the leading candidates alongside Deputy President William Ruto to vie for the presidency as succession politics hots up in the country ahead of the August 9, 2022 elections when President Uhuru Kenyatta’s second and final term will end.
Kenya belongs to us all. We must begin thinking of how to build a country where citizens and leaders are free to pursue sectional interests, but still put the country's interest above their own.#AzimioLaUmojaKajiado
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) September 13, 2021
Other notable candidates eying the seat include Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper party), Gideon Moi (KANU), Mwangi Wa Iria (Murang’a Governor) former UNCTAD Secretary General Mukhisa Kituyi, businessman Jimi Wanjigi among others.
In popularising his unity bid, Odinga said the nation was ailing due to ethnicity that has led to marginalization and lack of development.
“Everywhere you go in this country, citizens are lamenting over marginalization and lack of access to necessities such as water and sanitation, electricity and education,” noted Odinga
The former Prime Minister averred that ethic block meetings should not be shunned by claims that they are propagating ethnicity in the nation “because this country belongs to all ethnic groups despite their regional background.”
“We must begin thinking of building a country that focus on sectional interest but still put the country’s interests above,” said Raila.
Odinga’s sentiments come in the backdrop of the bottoms up economic model touted by DP Ruto which he says will solve Kenya’s perennial unemployment levels especially among the youth.
Ruto who has declared interest to vie under his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has previously asked leaders to stop creating tribal alliances saying the era of politicians uniting to form tribal political outfits was long gone.
The ODM leader while drumming up support for his presidential ambition vowed to fight for the issues that have faced the Maa community, which has for long decried of marginalization from previous regimes.
“The Maa community has historically received a raw deal during the colonial time and after independence. You have unfinished issues of land, marginalization, human and wildlife conflict and traditions that jeopardize your desire to march at the same pace with other communities. We must stay put and fight for these issues at the table with other communities,” noted Odinga.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko called upon the community to forge ahead as one in next year’s elections.
“We are not saying as a Maa nation we owe you (Raila) a debt, we are saying you have earned our trust. Some of them have been involved in activities that marginalize the Maa nation,” said Tobiko.
Kajiado Governor Lenku pointed out the handshake between Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta symbolized the quest for unity and as leaders they will focus on uniting not only the Maa community but the nation at large.
“If the road is to unite the nation, then we will follow that direction. Even the Maa community given our rich vote basket we will not disunite and make our votes to be termed as a swing vote,” noted Lenku.
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