•He said Raila’s bid outweighs other ambitions and would be crucial for Kenyans, especially for the Nyanza region.
•Owili said Raila’s presidency is imminent because of the overwhelming support across the country.
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Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili has urged ODM aspirants to fight from within and remain in the party, to consolidate Raila's presidential bid.
Owili urged them not to allow nominations or elections to divide them.
He said Raila’s bid outweighs other ambitions and would be crucial for Kenyans, especially for the Nyanza region, which requires a collective responsibility from his supporters to win a majority of seats.
Owili said Raila’s presidency is imminent because of the overwhelming support across the country.
“We must stand with our general. He needs everybody on board. Let us not split votes but stand with the party for us to win the majority of seats,” he said.
The entry of Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, Owili said, has bolted up Raila's bid, as she is one of the key and firm leaders from Central Kenya.
With the Azimio coalition, Owili said Raila's presidency will make more sense if ODM is the strongest within the coalition.
“ODM needs to have a majority in the county assembly, parliament, senate and Council of Governors,” the deputy governor said.
He said most of the policies will have to be pushed through the National Assembly and Senate, hence ODM should command a majority in the houses.
Owili, however, said what they are seeing is different because most ODM strongholds have other parties who are under Azimio with people going to other parties.
“This means ODM may end up getting into government with a weaker party because the smaller parties would have picked from the party,” he said.
In Migori Owili said one of the strong contenders Dalmas Otieno is in Jubilee because it is under Azimio.
Kisumu West MP Olago Aluoch, formerly of Ford Kenya defected to the DAP-Kenya party.
Olago, he said, had a choice because DAP-K is in Azimio or to rejoin ODM.
“We have heard some Kisumu governor aspirants have other alternatives in case they lose in the ODM nominations,” Owili said.
Former Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura, who has teamed up with Senator Fred Outa, former governor Jack Ranguma and former Kisumu chief of staff Patrick Ouya will battle for ODM ticket with incumbent Anyang Nyong'o.
Owili said there will be more opportunities for Kenyans if Raila is elected.
“Let us embrace our brothers and sisters from Central and Rift Valley who know the value of the presidency. They understand what it entails,” Owili said.
He said the two communities have always stood firm with their parties by fighting from within and remained steadfast before, during and after nominations and elections.
“A win for Raila is a win for both of us. The most vital thing is for Raila to become the president,” Owili said.
He said Raila should not be a king without soldiers.
In 2007, for example, the retired president had few MPs and had to reach out to Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who teamed up with him. This, Owili said, should not be a case when Raila becomes the president.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris