Raila Odinga to launch referendum signatures collection in Meru next month

MERU, KENYA: Cord leader Raila Odinga will be in Meru County next month, to launch the referendum signatures collection exercise and for a series of activities meant to market the coalition in the region.

During the two day visit, Odinga will also traverse the region to woo new members and consolidate the support ODM has in the county.

The former Prime minister's visit to Meru slated for September 10-12, was confirmed during Meru County ODM delegates meeting which was held at YWCA conference hall in Meru town.

Accompanied by other party bigwigs, Odinga is expected to open the ODM County party headquarters and also launch the official referendum signatures collection drive. He will visit the Nyambene region where he will hold talks on the fate of the Miraa farmers and traders now reeling under the burden of the UK ban.

Addressing the media in Meru town, Meru County ODM chairman David Gatobu Marete, said ODM is a mass movement that enjoys widespread support in large sections of Meru and Odinga and his team should expect a pleasant welcoming.

"Our party leader Raila Odinga will be in Meru on September 10 to 12 to open county party headquarters and meet his supporters. He will also officially launch the collection of one million referendum signatures in Meru County and we are ready to help him collect them," said Marete.

ODM, against expectation, managed to win two parliamentary seats in the county. Kubai Kiringo won the Igembe Central seat while Mpuru Aburi won in Tigania East. But speaking to The Standard yesterday, the two legislators said they have not been consulted on Raila's visit. Aburi accused party leaders of belittling him yet he was an important ODM figure in the county.

"Raila has not told me about the visit and I feel very bad about it. He is only dealing with minor people on the ground. I don't know how Gatobu became County ODM chairman yet there were no elections to replace me. It is very bad when ODM MPs in the county are not informed of the visit. And actually, I am going to court on Wednesday because there were no elections to replace me," Aburi said.

Kiringo also said he has not been informed on the planned visit.

"When Raila comes to Meru this time round let him come with different ODM party leaders instead of being accompanied by usual known ODM leaders, some of whom are not liked here. We want to see new and young leaders from our party accompany him. We want to see the future of ODM, not the usual leaders who follow him everywhere," said Jacob Miriti, a delegate from Igembe South.