- ODM leader reveals new colours, royal blue, orange and white. And slogan Umoja Inawezekana, Unity is Possible. But not yet new coalition.
- Holds meeting of ODM delegates from six Nyanza counties as he prepares to consolidate region in his presidential bid.
Orange party leader Raila Odinga on Thursday strolled into a regional ODM meeting in Homa Bay sporting his new colours — royal blue, orange and white.
His Nyanza bedrock was the first to know and he called for everyone to "join hands as a region, get our political act together and pull in one direction".
His baseball cap was blue, his neck scarf was blue, his cuffs were blue and his shirt bore blue flowers.
On the lectern, was a big orange-coloured 'R' against a royal blue background.
The meeting tent was decorated in royal blue, orange and white.
Once considered an anti-establishment rabble-rouser, he declared his new motto, Umoja Inawezakana, or Unity is Possible.
His blue baseball cap bore an 'R' in an orange flourish, the words 'Inawezakana' in white and '#5' in white for Fifth President.
Raila is laying the ground for his 2022 presidential campaign, back to his Nyaza backyard where he addressed a meeting of ODM delegates from six counties.
He is expecting to begin consolidating the region
Raila who ran on the now-defunct National Super Alliance (Nasa) in 2017 indicates he's forging a bigger political machine and movement to unite the country.
The goal is also to defeat Deputy President William Ruto in the 2022 presidential poll.
Image: COURTESY
Speaking at Sikri Training Institute, Raila told delegates he is yet to unveil his 2022 political vehicle to reconcile, unite, calm and stabilise the country.
“We must make compromises and form coalitions and alliances for the sake of the nation. That effort cannot work at the national level when it does not exist in the regions that make up the nation,” he told his Nyanza base.
“And so we are here to make a start at home with the assurance that we intend to carry this to the national stage. Our desire to unite our people and the country, the Azimio La Muungano is a noble and worthy cause. It deserves our support.”
He appealed to everyone to "join hands as a region, get our political act together, pull in one direction. We will use unity to create opportunities for our people and the nation in return.”
ODM announced the postponement of what was a series of grassroots engagements, rallies that were to culminate in unveiling the new coalition in Nairobi.
The decision was informed by a government ban on all political gatherings to combat the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Other meetings had been scheduled for Western, Coast, Northeastern, Eastern, Rift Valley, Central and Nairobi.
ODM explained the Homa Bay meeting could not be rescheduled as arrangements had already been made.
The meeting was brief, less than an hour. Only five people spoke.
Kisii Governor James Ongwae said the region will rally behind the ODM leader saying the two Abagusii counties alone have more than a million votes that will go to Raila’s basket.
“As you traverse the country to engage with other Kenyans, let them know that we are united as a team behind your agenda,” Ongwae said.
Raila underscored the need for a united Nyanza
“Even in the most tensed moments in our country, the people of this region have soldiered on fairly peacefully even when they embrace different political affiliations,” he said.
But unity can only be as good as the purpose for which it is intended. This time we want to explore how to turn the peace into prosperity and economic empowerment for this region.”
The Nyanza convention was attended by Governors Cyprian Awiti (Homa Bay), Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), James Ongwae (Kisii) and 39 MPs from the region.
MPs included Minority leader John Mbadi, Minority Whip Junet Mohamed, Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay MP), Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja), Ong’ondo Were (Kasipul) and Simba Arati (Dagoretti North), among others.
The ODM leader reiterated his vision to turn around the economy through investment in skills and rural transformation for local industrialisation.
“There is no reason why coffee, tea, bananas and vegetables from Kisii or Kuria cannot be processed here and marketed as refined produce of Kisii or Kuria,” he said.
“Lake Victoria has much more to offer than just fish. We have not fully explored the lake’s capacity for tourism and maritime transport and aquaculture, among others.”
(Edited by V. Graham)