Raila dismisses Ruto and allies as incapable of leadership

ODM leader Raila Odinga at Ihura Stadium in Murang'a during the Azimio la Umoja rally. [Kibata Kihu, Standard]

ODM leader Raila Odinga yesterday tore into his rivals for the presidency, saying they did not have the capacity to lead the country to prosperity and development.

Raila further dismissed Deputy President William Ruto’s bottom-up economic model, claiming it is designed to exploit thousands of youth instead of empowering them.

The Opposition chief spoke during a rally at General Ihura stadium in Murang’a County, where he said he had worked closely with Ruto, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and Ford Kenya boss Moses Wetang’ula and they all had failed to deliver in their dockets.

“I know these people better because I worked with them, one was my deputy, while I another appointed as a minister for Agriculture and the other has been linked to a cemetery land scandal,” he said.

He claimed the three leaders fronting the Kenya Kwanza Alliance were tainted and could not be trusted to tackle corruption effectively. He accused the leaders of failing to deliver when they were in government and adding that they were unsuitable to deliver on growing the economy despite nice sounding slogans.

“They cannot deliver on any development agenda,” Raila said.

Raila, who has kicked off his campaigns in Central Kenya, said Azimio la Umoja movement has the best approach that will transform the country socially and economically, based on his plans towards uniting all Kenyans.

He said his administration will empower locals based on the sectors they are in, while sealing loopholes used to siphon public funds.

Hosted by a section of Murang’a County leaders, Raila said he would address the concerns raised by the representatives who held a meeting earlier this week and put down their expectations from Azimio la Umoja. Among the issues highlighted by the leaders were challenges facing the county in accessing water despite providing the commodity to Nairobi County and its environs.

Other concerns included lack of credit facilities to small medium enterprise traders, high cost of farm inputs such as fertiliser.

“When others are planning to distribute wheelbarrows, my government will be keen on addressing challenges in agriculture, education among other sectors, in efforts to transform the country,” said Raila.

He urged Kenyans to support his presidential bid and register as voters ahead of the August 9 elections. He asked Murang’a residents to participate in the third liberation, which is economic, just as they did in the fight for independence and introduction of multi-partism.

“Let’s join hands to support the crusade to liberate our country from the burden of looters who have messed up the economy and are working together to cause confusion,” said Raila.

MPs from Murangá, Wangari Mwaniki (Kigumo), Muturi Kigano (Kangema) Nduati Ngugi (Gatanga), Peter Kimari (Mathioya) and County Woman Representative Sabina Chege accompanied the Azimio la Umoja movement leader.

The leaders drummed up support for Azimio, saying they are supporting Raila for president owing to his concern towards uplifting the living standard of people. They also fronted former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth to be picked as Raila’s running mate.

“It is our request to Raila to consider the Murang’a son as the running mate,” said Ngugi.

The MPs were led by Majority Leader Amos Kimunya, his deputy Maoka Maore, Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi who chairs Raila’s presidential campaign obard. He was also accompanied by Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia. “Raila is the best suited to take over the presidency, his track record is clean compared to the competitors,” Macharia said.

Earlier, the ODM leader visited the family of Eddah Gachukia who are his in-laws through his son, Raila Junior.