By MANGOA MOSOTA
Kisumu, Nyanza: Prime Minister Raila Odinga has dismissed Jubilee Alliance leaders over their insistence that the CORD is composed of old individuals who should go home.
Raila said age should not be an issue in gauging the capability of leadership; instead it should be issues such as integrity.
“One can be young in age, but his mind is old. It is the policies one is supporting that should count,” said the PM.
In apparent reference to Jubilee presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta and running mate William Ruto, Raila said elderly leadership has a lot to offer the county.
“Jaramogi Oginga was old but he had sound ideas for the country. He would not be dismissed just because he was old,” he said of the country's founding opposition leader, who passed away 18 years ago.
His sentiments were echoed by Finance Assistant Ministers Oburu Odinga, Matungu MP David Were and ODM national youth coordinator Reuben Ombima.
Speaking at Nyamira ACK in Bondo, Siaya County on Christmas Eve, the leaders told their Jubilee counterparts that they were also old.
“None of these leaders (Jubilee Coalition) is below 40 years, how can they say that they are young?” posed Oburu, adding that both Jomo Kenyatta and President Kibaki took over the county’s leadership at an advanced age.
Mr Ombima said the youth in Kenya trust that the premier will ensure the full implementation of the constitution.
