Azimio presidential flagbearer Raila Odinga on Tuesday insisted he will trounce Deputy President William Ruto in next month's polls.
Raila, who spoke when he embarked on an aggressive campaign tour of Taita Taveta county, warned that a Ruto presidency will be 'dangerous' for the country's economic prosperity.
"Don't you know the thieves? Haven't they been coming with stolen money? Eat that money if they bring it but vote for me because victory is around the corner," Raila said.
The former Prime Minister tore into the DP, saying he is the face of the "Kenya that we don't want".
"They have been moving around claiming that I have sensed defeat, to the contrary. It is them who have already lost this election and that is why they are whining," he said.
Raila said recent opinion polls that have put him ahead of Ruto are accurate and reflect the "reality on the ground" with 26 days remaining to the general election.
"We are not afraid of the election as our competitors want Kenyans to believe. In fact, all the opinion polls have shown that we are ahead of them,” he told his supporters during a campaign rally at Wasinyi in Wundanyi constituency.
Ruto's camp has dismissed the polls, without providing evidence, that they have been manipulated to favour Raila, his main rival in the battle to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Raila, who was accompanied by his running mate and Narc Kenya boss Martha Karua, warned that Ruto's promises to sort out the land issues in the Coast region are gimmicks that won't work.
"The side that will conclusively deal with the land question and historical injustices is the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya and not the usual suspects seeking to milk you dry," the Azimio presidential candidate said.
Raila made a dramatic entry in Taveta accompanied by Azimio top allies, including Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka, days after Ruto scoured the region for votes and rubbished Raila's land agenda.
On her part, Karua asked Kenyans to elect leaders based on their integrity.
“Our priority is to fight corruption that is bedevilling the country. In support of this agenda, we, therefore, plead with Kenyans to drop all leaders that have been looting public resources,” she said.
The Narc Kenya leader accused the Kenya Kwanza team of failing to show commitment to fighting corruption, pointing out that only the Azimio team would end the menace.
During his tour, Raila made a raft of promises to win over the hearts and souls of the region to stay ahead of Ruto.
Once elected, the former Prime Minister promised to set up a special economic zone in Voi, in a bid to establish industries and create employment.
He said his government will prioritise creating jobs for millions of qualified and unemployed young people across the country.
“The special economic zone will make Voi a new industrial park in the Coastal region and absorb a large number of jobless people,” he said.
Raila further said that unemployed youth from vulnerable backgrounds will receive Sh6,000 monthly stipend from his government.
The ODM chief, who is banking on the tour to solidify his support base in the region, further promised to help end the perennial human-wildlife conflict in the county.
He said lack of timely compensation for victims of wildlife attacks has contributed to poverty with hundreds of farmers bordering the expansive Tsavo National Park being unable to produce food.
“The government shall erect electric fences along the park in the first 100 days of my administration. Jumbos should be blocked from invading farms so that farmers can produce enough food,” Raila said.
He also promised to help the county benefit from the multi-billion mining sector through sharing of royalties and empowering small-scale miners.
Kalonzo underscored the need for the country to remain united ahead of the polls.
He warned Kenyans not to fall into the trap of tribalism and politics of division being perpetrated by some politicians, adding that the Azimio team is ready to unite Kenyans.
The Odinga-led team will pitch tent in Kwale county on Wednesday before holding a series of rallies at Mombasa county on Thursday.
On Friday, Raila will finalise his coastal tour by holding a series of rallies in his former ally and Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi’s backyard.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
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