Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader Raila Odinga has insisted that he is in the race for the presidency in 2017, despite the latest opinion polls showing most Kenyans want him to retire.
Raila was reacting to opinion polls carried out by Ipsos that indicated the number of Kenyans keen to see him retire from politics has slightly increased.
According to the survey, 37 per cent of those polled want the former Prime Minister to retire from politics completely, compared to 31 per cent who want him to run for presidency in the 2017 elections.
Raila, who was speaking at Kanyamwa in Homa Bay County after the launch of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) electronic membership registration, said he was not ready to quit politics.
The CORD leader blamed the high poverty rate in his strongholds on the previous regimes that had continued to sideline Opposition regions.
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"I have never been president, when I was the Prime Minister, the fruits I brought are still visible," he said, absolving himself from blame on poverty levels among his supporters.
The same polls showed that more supporters of CORD reported going to bed hungry compared to their counterparts in the ruling Jubilee coalition.
On the ongoing Orange Democratic Party (ODM) elections, Raila promised a free and fair exercise.
"In case of grievances, a repeat will be done until credible result is obtained," he said.
The former premier also delved into the ongoing teachers' strike, telling President Uhuru Kenyatta to break his silence over the matter.
He challenged the President to ensure his government honours the Supreme Court verdict the same way the Opposition did when the courts declared Uhuru duly elected President.
The CORD leader said the Government should not claim there is no money to pay teachers.
"Having worked as the Prime Minister of this country, I know there is enough money in the Treasury to pay the teachers," said Raila.
He told the Government to reallocate the Sh25 billion meant for the National Youth Service towards the payment of the teachers to save learners from losing a lot.
ODM National Chairman John Mbadi said a supplementary budget should be brought before the House to pay the teachers.
Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga asked National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi to reconvene Parliament so that the on-going strike can be discussed and solved.
Kasipul legislator Oyugi Magwanga said the strike was hurting learners, especially candidates who are set to sit their national examinations in few weeks' time.
Teachers' strike
"As CORD, we are fully in support of the teachers' strike because the tutors have been cheated for many years," said Mr Magwanga.
His Suna East counterpart Junet Mohammed said the current unrest being witnessed was as a result of a failed government.
"The unrest within the civil service seen through the health workers and teachers' strikes is evident that Jubilee is a failing regime," said Mr Mohammed.
Nominated Senator Agnes Zani asked CORD members and supporters to remain united.
