Garissa youth unite to campaign for Raila

A section of Garissa youth has formed a lobby to rally for a Raila Odinga presidency in the August polls.

The group, which will involve aspirants, targets to mount vigorous campaigns up to villages and solidify votes for the party leader.

The youth spoke on Wednesday at a Garissa hotel after holding a strategy meeting.

Their leader Ummi Harun said the region has overwhelmingly voted for Raila before and they will vote for him in the upcoming election.

“As aspirants, professionals and youth, we will dedicate our time, energy and resources to make sure that the former PM ascends to power,” she said.

Harun said Raila is the only leader who has the best interests for the pastoralist community.

“We know the advantages he brought on board when he was a prime minister. It was during the grand coalition government that the Ministry of Development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands was created,” she said.

Harun Egalow said their support is pegged on his past and current policy positions.

He said the policies will revive the socio-economic aspirations of the region, pastoralists and ASAL communities.

“Raila has a special plans for education, agriculture and livestock in Northeastern, which he spoke about on December 10, last year.

"We want to assure him that we will walk with him through this journey until we deliver the seat,” Egalow said.

Garissa Township MCA aspirant Abdi Hakim said they will come together directly or indirectly, to ensure that Azimio not only wins the presidency but majority of the elective seats at the county and national level.

During his tour last October, Raila said he will offer solutions to the troubled education sector.

He said he will enforce a special affirmative action programme in admitting students from ASAL regions into teacher training institutions and universities.

Raila said this will create a local, committed workforce to serve as teachers and education officers in the region.

He also said he will build and equip modern low-cost boarding schools in each sub county in ASALs. 

The ODM leader further said he will build a resilient livestock economy by formulating veterinary policies that benefit the sector.

He said he will ensure availability of quality feeds and supplements, improved livestock breeds and breeding, improved animal health and adoption of improved livestock technologies.

Raila also said he will improve market access and trade by promoting agribusiness along the livestock value chains.

He said he will promote trade in livestock and livestock products, enhance safety of food of animal origin and strengthening livestock marketing infrastructure and information systems.

The Azimio presidential candidate also said he will invest in water infrastructure for livestock and domestic usage and fast-track the completion of the Seven Folks Dams’ projects.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)