Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga on Sunday said he would need just one term to transform Kenya even as he promised to revive the tobacco industry if elected.
Raila who has pitched camp in the Western region for the last five days asked the electorate to vote for him to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“Give me five years and I will transform Kenya into the new country that you long for,” Raila said in Chwele, Bungoma.
He welcomed UDA vice chairman Kipruto Arap Kirwa to Azimio after he ditched Deputy President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza.
The former Cherangany MP and Agriculture minister was received by Raila and his running mate Martha Karua.
The ODM leader later held a rally at Mayuba Stadium in Sirisia, where he spoke of his agenda to change the economy of the country.
“This is the third liberation to change the country's economy, I humbly ask you to rally behind my bid," Raila said.
He said his government will focus on reviving the ailing industries to offer employment opportunities to youths.
“We have many factories in the Western region that fall due to poor management. My government will revive them immediately,” he said.
Raila said he will revive the Malasiki cotton industry and make it a hub of agriculture in the western region.
He said his government will put one border post at Malaba to make it easy for business operators to and from Kenya and Uganda.
“Business operators are finding it rough when they want to cross over to Uganda to transact business when I take over, I will end harassment and establish a good rapport with Uganda, for a firm bond,” he said.
Raila urged Bungoma to re-elect Governor Wangamati saying he has delivered in his first term and he needs to be given the second chance to serve.
He said he will work with him to initiate developments in Bungoma.
Raila said his government will support all learners’ access to education to have professions in all fields.
The ODM leader said he is on a diplomatic charm offensive to build friendships with neighbouring countries including Uganda.
He toured Uganda last week after his trip to South Sudan and held talks with President Yoweri Museveni, triggering speculations.
Details of his Uganda trip were not officially released.
Raila said he was after strengthening diplomatic ties with regional Heads of State.
“I spent two hours speaking with Museveni in Entebbe, I told him I was going to form the government and wanted a good relationship with Uganda. Museveni said he was ready,” Raila said
“Museveni, Kagame and Salva Kiir know that I will be the next president.”
Raila was accompanied by Azimio presidential campaign team members including governors, MPs and Senators.
He traversed Bungoma, Moses Wetang'ulah's backyard, where he asked voters to reject Kenya Kwanza and elect him as president.
“Say no to, because their agenda is to loot this country, our agenda and theirs is like day and night,” Raila said.
He promised to reduce fertiliser prices from Sh6,000 to Sh2,000 and block maize imports to support local farming.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
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