By FRANCIS NGIGE
Prime Minister Raila Odinga claims his political opponents have hatched a scheme to portray him as anti-Kikuyu.
Raila said his competitors had gone overboard in their propaganda onslaught to claim he has a secret plan against the Kikuyu.
Addressing a series of rallies in Nyeri, Raila said the scheme would fail as he held no grudge or ill will against the community.
“There are people claiming Raila does not like the Kikuyu. This is a trick they are using to deny me votes in Central Kenya,” Raila said at a rally at Ihururu centre in Tetu.
Although Raila had attended an official function to launch the Aberdare Trust at Mweiga, it appeared he was keen to woo residents of the populous region to his political camp. He planted a tree at Karunaini, the spot where renowned freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi was shot and captured by colonialists.
The symbolic ceremony was witnessed by hundreds of cheering people, who asked the premier to remember the freedom fighters. He announced plans to construct a museum and a statue at the spot to celebrate the lives of freedom fighters.
Local MPs boycotted the function drawing criticism. Assistant ministers Margaret Wanjiru and Joseph Nanok said it was disrespectful for local leaders, including local MP Nemesyus Warugongo, to skip a Government function. Warugongo and Cabinet Minister Esther Murugi had vowed not to attend the conservation ceremony, saying the PM’s tour was suspect.
In his address, Raila said if elected President, he would follow the Constitution. He said: “I have never been an enemy of the Kikuyu. It is propaganda by selfish politicians.”
At the same time, the Premier said he regarded Kibaki as a bosom friend having worked with him for long. He said the good working relationship between them had seen the passage of the new Constitution as well as the enactment of requisite implementation Bills.
He said the recently passed land laws would facilitate reforms and end historical injustices.
