ODM leaders head to Kisumu today for two days of campaigning.
Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma, who is the host, said preparations are complete for the rallies to popularise Cord leader Raila Odinga’s presidential bid.
He said they are leaving nothing to chance. “The programme has been drawn up and we are aiming for a major rally to help consolidate our support base ahead of the elections,” Ranguma said.
ODM deputy party leader and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho will lead Raila’s campaign team for the event.
The team is comprised of Aisha Jumwa (Kilifi woman rep), John Mbadi (Suba MP), Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega Governor), Junet Mohamed (Suna East MP), Agnes Zani (nominated Senator), Elijah Memusi (Kajiado Central MP), Millie Odhiambo (Mbita MP) and Mishi Mboko (Mombasa woman rep)
The major rally will be at Kirembe grounds tomorrow and Raila will attend.
Kisumu ODM chairman Ayiecho Olweny assured supporters of maximum security. He said they have notified police of the event and urged supporters to come out in large numbers.
Today, the campaign team will have a breakfast meeting with Ranguma, ODM party leaders and MCAs at Wigot Hotel.
Kisumu Central treasurer Edward Ogolla told the Star on the phone that Joho’s team will from 10am meet party delegates at the Tom Mboya Labour College.
He said 60 delegates will be drawn from Kisumu Central, Kisumu West, Kisumu East, Muhoroni, Nyando, Seme and Nyakach subcounties.
Yesterday, ODM leaders led by county ODM chairman Ayiecho Olweny held a meeting at Ofafa Hall in Kisumu town. The event comes after the party held similar ones in Mombasa and Nairobi counties.
On Tuesday, Joho said the journey to make Uhuru Kenyatta a one-term President began in Mombasa and Nairobi, and will flow through the country. “Uhuru must not go back to office for dividing the country down the middle, between supporters and non-supporters,” he said.
Joho said Jubilee does not deserve a second term, because of its deliberate policy of economic sabotage. He also accused the Jubilee administration of “stealing from the people and making new promises on top of old ones amid escalated cases of corruption”.