Raila will be the NASA presidential candidate, say Orengo and Joho

Siaya Senator James Orengo has said the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will ensure its leader Raila Odinga clinches the National Super Alliance Party (NASA) presidential ticket.

Orengo, who is part of the 12-member committee tasked with resolving the NASA presidential candidate quagmire, said ODM will work tirelessly to ensure Raila wins the seat.

Speaking at Mombasa Law Courts, Orengo who was flanked by Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Hassan Joho and three MPs, said Raila is the best bet for the ticket.

His spoke barely a day after Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka presented his papers to the party headquarters for clearance to contest the presidency.

Earlier this week, Kamba leaders supporting Kalonzo’s bid met him at a Nairobi hotel where they announced they would ensure Kalonzo becomes the NASA flag bearer.

Recent activities and pronouncements by Wiper leaders sparked speculation that the party was planning to go it alone but Kalonzo declared he will not bolt out of the Opposition coalition and that he will compete to clinch the ticket.

Speaking yesterday in Nairobi, Kalonzo also dismissed allegations that there was tension in NASA. He faulted the media for fanning unnecessary anxiety among the NASA supporters.

“This must stop because the only tension we know is about Jubilee’s plan to scrap Senate and to appoint Governors but there is none in NASA,” he said.

Kalonzo was reacting to media reports that his move to present nomination papers to his party were an indication he intended to go it alone in the August 8 General Election. He spoke when he received the County Assembly Forum chairperson Nassir Nuh who will contest the Tana River gubernatorial seat.

“Dr Nuh will be running for governor of Tana River. He will run against governor Hussein Dado who was elected on a Wiper ticket in the last elections but has since defected to the Jubilee Party,” Kalonzo said.

He said Wiper is a party with room for young aspirants to explore their political ambitions.

‘We urge Kenyans to support young leaders by voting for them in large numbers in the coming polls,” Kalonzo said.

Kalonzo also received other contestants for Senate, MP, MCA and Women Representative. Wiper Secretary General Hassan Omar said the party had attracted promising leaders. “None of them has questionable integrity issues,” he said.

But speaking in Mombasa earlier yesterday after the court acquitted Mombasa Women Representative Mishi Mboko of incitement to violence and hate speech charges, Orengo said they will be ensure Raila becomes president.

Top seat

“Joho is a NASA and ODM national leader and together we are going to work with others to ensure Raila Amolo Odinga wins the top seat,” Orengo said.

The senator, who represented Mishi before Mombasa Chief Magistrate Julius Nangea, told Jubilee leaders to respect Joho.

He said he would not be cowed despite threats from Jubilee leaders, adding that some Opposition leaders had been earmarked for arrest.

“I know there are three or more people who are targeted over claims they incited the public when the President around. But since the President is an elected leader, we must boldly point out his mistakes without being target,” said Joho.

Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi and his Jomvu MP Badi Twalib were also present during the press briefing outside the court.

Mishi’s acquittal, for lack of evidence, attracted jubilation.

Inside the court, Mishi shed tears of joy and knelt down to pray after the magistrate said she would not be put her on her defense.

The magistrate said the prosecution failed to provide evidence to link Mishi to hate speech.

“I decline to put the accused person on her defence because this is a right as provided in the Constitution," Nangea said.

"Freedom of speech is a right. The use of the word revolution by the MP in her speech does not amount to incitement. That right cannot be held at ransom by intolerant people."

The law maker was facing charges over utterances she made on June 1 2014 in Mombasa.

Nangea also rejected a recording which was played in the court, saying whoever produced it was never called to testify.