Raila endorsed to run for top office

By Geoffrey Mosoku

NAIROBI; KENYA: ODM leader Raila Odinga has received his party’s formal backing to make a second attempt to take charge at State House as Kenya’s fourth president.

He will do so on the back of a new “social contract” he said would achieve the change he had wanted when he sought party nomination for the first time in 2007. Click to read Raila Odinga’s full speech.

While accepting the nomination at a National Delegates Convention (NDC) on Friday, Raila gave a speech in which he laid out his party’s agenda and his vision for the country. He said in the 2007 General Election, the party had campaigned on the platform of massive infrastructure development, but will now shift its focus to job creation, in addition to improving infrastructure.

“In 2007, I said we must invest heavily in three things: One, infrastructure! Two, infrastructure! Three, infrastructure! While we continue with this work, I now pledge that we shall again invest heavily in three things: One, jobs! Two, jobs! Three, jobs!” he told hundreds of cheering delegates who had gathered at the Moi International Sports Centre gymnasium in Kasarani.

The PM, who recently joined hands with Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka to form the Coalition for Reform and Democracy (CORD), said he would work with his coalition partners to fully implement the Constitution, which they fought so long and so hard to bring to fruition. He said the party would make devolution a reality, so that all parts of the country have the opportunity to develop equally. The push for devolution was a major part of the decades long fight for a new constitution.

Rule of law

“Today, I want us, as a party, to make a social contract with everyone in this country — that we will deliver democracy, the rule of law, prosperity, unity, inclusiveness and equality,” Raila added.

By focusing on the economy, he says, his government will create an enabling business and investment environment so Kenya can be at par with developed countries and in line with Vision 2030. 

“I have spoken many times about the Asian Tigers, those countries were once at par with, or behind, Kenya, and now way ahead of us. My plan is that Kenya becomes the African Simba, the Lion of Africa, and sets the standard for the continent,” he said.

While affirming that the 2013 polls will be devoid of violence similar to what happened in 2007, Raila said there was need for all presidential contenders to come together and commit themselves to ensure peaceful polls.

“And I want to reassure everyone, here at Kasarani, in Kenya and around the world, that this election will be free, fair and peaceful. In fact, I want to ask that all presidential contenders come together in a strong show of unity and resolve, to reassure Kenyans that we are all unequivocally committed to a free, fair and peaceful elections.”

He also promised to ensure that the crimes against humanity cases facing his competitors Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto, and former Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura, and radio journalist Joshua arap Sang are referred back to the country. Raila said the country had reformed its Judiciary and created mechanisms that can handle free and credible trials for any case.

Hague cases

“In the search for unity and dignity of our nation, I commit, as I have said before, I will petition the Security Council of the UN to have the cases facing our people before the International Criminal Court, referred back to Kenya. We have a reforming Judiciary that enjoys the confidence of the people and can handle the cases.”

Raila regretted that that country has been ripped apart by factionalism and tribal hatred, saying lack of social cohesion is high on the list of things he will address.

“ODM is a social democratic party that advocates the peaceful, evolutionary transformation of society through social inclusion.”

The PM said his government would improve the working conditions of security personnel, while reminding them of the onerous duty they have.

“We intend to fully revamp our criminal justice system. We shall improve police conditions, providing police officers with proper initial training, as well as sustained retraining and the opportunity to acquire wider policing skills.”

The meeting was graced by VP Kalonzo, Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Uganda’s ruling NRM party Vice-Chairman Mike Mukula, Tanzania’s Roads minister John Pombe, and over 70 MPs. They included Wiper’s Johnston Muthama, Gideon Ndambuki, Mohamed Affey, and Philip Kaloki.  Ministers William Ntimama, Noah Wekesa, Mohamed Elmi, Eala MPs Mumbi Ngaru, Nancy Abisai, MPs Josephat Nanok, Wavinya Ndeti, Wilfred Machage, and former Kibwezi MP Kalembe Ndile.  Mayor George Aladwa, among others, addressed the delegates. Muslim cleric Sheikh Juma Ngao moved the delegates when he said that the country should vote for Raila and give a chance to someone out of the Rift Valley and central Kenya from the presidency.

Wekesa said Raila and his father, the late Jaramogi Oginga, sacrificed in the struggle for freedom and democracy, saying it was time the country rewarded him by electing the PM as the fourth president.

In 2007, when ODM first nominated him to run for the presidency, Raila spoke of the beginning of a “journey to the stars” that would see his party build a better nation. With the weight of a history of fighting for reform on his mind, he promised to end the reign of “the forces of greed and the defenders of our nation’s bankrupt political leadership”.

New journey

“We are soon to set our ship of State on a new course,” he declared. “Our actions will always be aimed at achieving the greatest wellbeing and the greatest prosperity for the largest number of people.”

His speech on Friday acknowledged the opportunity lost to deliver “all the blessings and good intentions of our ODM manifesto”.

The basket of ideas, he added, was still safe and ready to be used. The ODM leader says he has chosen to focus on lack of jobs as it leads to social insecurity, which he said was characterised by corruption, poor policing, muggings, extortions, cattle-rustling, land clashes, poor health and education, strikes, deficient local production and lack of food sufficiency.  “We were denied our victory, and denied our opportunity to make a real difference to this country,” he said. “Now, however, we have another chance.”