Raila: NASA’s strength of numbers will shame them

NASA presidential candidate address a rally at Athi River stadium

National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential candidate Raila Odinga Saturday urged Kenyans to vote for him in millions to shame President Uhuru Kenyatta and his “plots to use the military to rig” the polls.

Addressing a campaign rally at Athi River, Machakos County, Raila and his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka said their claims of military involvement in a plot to rig elections were factual and not mere hearsay.

“You have heard that the KDF has acknowledged that indeed our claims were true. We now call upon Jubilee to drop their plans because it isn’t in the interest of the country,” said Raila.

He asked President Kenyatta to accept defeat when he is beaten on August 8 and hand over power, given that NASA was now “12 million strong”.

“We are telling them that please do not try to rig, we know we have the victory and will not boycott this election. But I call upon you to come out in millions to ensure we win with a landslide,” said Raila.

Final liberation

He urged supporters to ensure the”third and final liberation” was completed on the Election Day by voting for NASA.

“We want to ensure we move on from the fight for eradication of poverty, education and diseases to developing our people and ensuring they lead a better life,” said Raila.

Kalonzo said: “It was unfortunate that Jubilee wanted to spoil the name of the respectable Kenyan Army. Indeed, the KDF spokesman confirmed our claims.”

He accused the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati of responding to what he did not even know. He said the IEBC boss was not privy to any intelligence for him to dispute the rigging claims.

“What specialised information does Chebukati have? He is responding to what he does not know. We are warning Jubilee that they should not attempt to rig this election for the love of Kenya,” said Kalonzo.

He said from their assessment of the campaigns rallies, they were confident they would win. They urged their supporters to register a 100 per cent voter out.

“Please let’s not leave anyone at home, let us all vote to send home the inept Jubilee government,” said the former Vice President.

The two principals led two NASA caravans, with Raila addressing rallies at Donyo Sabuk, Kang’undo and Mutituni as Kalonzo covered Ikala Asa, Yatta and Kathiani before they met at Athi River for a joint rally.

Raila reiterated their win will be the end of secondary school fees.

“We will ensure everything is free, from desks, exercise books, fees and even milk. The work of the parent will just be to send the children to school,” he said.

He said they will create opportunities for young people by building industrial parks across the country and financing youth development so that they become job creators, seekers.

He also promised to support and economically empower single mothers.

“We know they suffer after they are left on their own without any financial support. We will come to their aid,” said Raila. During the rallies, Raila and Kalonzo endorsed NASA candidates in Machakos, led by Wiper governor candidate Wavinya Ndeti.