Orange Democratic Movement Leader Raila Odinga has appealed to Homa Bay County voters not to reject his choice for area senator, Moses Kajwang’.
Raila, who spoke at various trading centres and towns in the county, said it would be embarrassing if locals elected a candidate from another party.
He said Homa Bay is ODM’s stronghold, and a defeat would give the party a bad image in other parts of the country.
The former Premier, who spoke in Luo said: “Jothurwa, wasea mabor gi chama ni omiyo akwayou ni kik ukuod wiya e yiero ni (Our people, we have come from far with this party hence I appeal to you not to embarrass me at the ballot).”
Speaking at Kadongo and Oyugis towns in Kabondo Kasipul and Kasipul constituencies, Raila said the Homa Bay race means a lot in local politics and will have an impact on the 2017 General Election hence it should not be belittled.
He said his enemies are colluding with some candidates in a bid to vanquish him politically, adding that they are spreading propaganda that the Luo community is on the verge of disintegrating, based on those who hail from south and central Nyanza regions.
He expressed confidence that the unity which locals have demonstrated in the past will hold even after the Homa Bay by-election. Raila appealed to voters to ignore anybody who wants to divide them.
“I decided to back Moses Kajwang’ for this seat to the test waters over those who can stand firm with me or run away during difficult moments. This by-election is going to determine a lot in politics of this region,” he said.
He accused the Jubilee government of introducing many laws aimed at derailing devolution.
“The economic prosperity of this country depends on the manner in which devolution will be handled. I am going to organise my CORD (Coalition for Reforms and Democracy) legislators to amend the Constitution so that senators can be given more powers to protect devolution from influence of the Executive,” Raila added.
He assured residents that he is not going to spare the Jubilee government come 2017.
“I only lost elections in 1997 but this time we must be in State House,” said Raila.
The call for unity was echoed by Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti.
Siaya Senator James Orengo and his Kakamega counterpart Boni Khalwale said the by-election is going to change the face of politics in Kenya. Dr Khalwale said its outcome will determine the strength of ODM and the entire CORD fraternity in preparation to the next polls.
