ODM leader Raila Odinga has revisited the 2007-2008 post-election violence, distancing himself and his supporters from claims of fueling the chaos.
While speaking in Homa Bay on Thursday, Mr Odinga absolved his supporters from blamed for the violence that was witnessed in the country, resulting in deaths, displacement of persons and massive destruction of property after Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner of the dispute presidential election of 2007.
Instead, the ODM leader appeared to point an accusing finger at Deputy President William Ruto, with whom he locked in a bitter contest in the 2022 succession politics.
While the Deputy President has repeatedly describe Mr Odinga as a State project, the ODM leader has been consistently questioning the DP’s integrity and his ability to lead the country.
“They accused our supporters of vandalising a railway line in Kibra, yet they are the ones who hurt Kenyans. We don’t want people who seek votes through perpetrating hatred. We don’t want to go back to 2007,” Mr Odinga said during a private visit to the home of his friend Erastus Okul at Komolo Lwala Village in Central Karachuonyo ward.
Homa Bay Woman Representative, Gladys Wanga, Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were, Karachuonyo MP Adipo Okuome and former Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga accompanied the former Prime Minister.
Mr Odinga also poked holes into Dr Ruto’s bottom-up economic model, saying he is committed to uniting Kenyans through his Azimio la Umoja initiative.
At the same time, Mr Odinga called on Kenyans to maintain peace, asking them to vote for the right leaders.
“The second phase of mass voter registration is around the corner. There is still an opportunity for the youths to register in large numbers and decide the future of this country,” he said.
He challenged others leaders to work towards leaving a legacy for the future generation.
Mr Odinga said that if elected, his government will address poverty, healthcare, poor governance among other issues. He also said has plans make secondary education free to all Kenyan students.
“I contributed to the introduction of free primary education when the Narc government took power in 2002. Secondary education can also be made free,” he said.
The ODM leader also said he plans for value addition for different agricultural products.
He said Nyanza region has a lot of untapped resources that can be used to create wealth for residents, citing Lake Victoria’s untapped potential.
“We need to look for ways to pump water from the lake to farms for irrigation,” he said.
On business, Mr Odinga said his government will ensure small and medium enterprises are provided with loans that have flexible repayment plans.
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