- The former Prime Minister condemned discrimination based along ethnic lines
- Says he will not relent in bringing the country together
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
ODM leader Raila Odinga has vowed to press on with his push to unite the county before and after 2022 General Elections.
Speaking during Sunday service at Jesus Teaching Ministry, Soweto in Embakasi East, Nairobi, Raila said he will not relent in his quest to bring Kenyans together as they moves towards a period that could be divisive.
“I will continue talk about unity of the country because it is very key for our nation. Kenya must be one and that is the country that we all want.” he said.
He condemned discrimination based along ethnic lines saying no Kenyan chose to belong to any particular tribe.
“Kenya was on the verge of disintegration after the 2017 elections and that is why I sat down with President Uhuru Kenyatta and we agreed to bring the country together,” he explained.
Legislators Caleb Amisi (Saboti), George Aladwa (Makadara), Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Maina Kamanda (Nominated), Esther Passaris (Nairobi County) and Sabina Chege (Murang'a County) and Chief Administrative Secretaries Rachel Shebesh (Youth Affairs) and Beatrice Elachi (Public Service ) and former Westlands MP Fred Gumo accompanied Raila.
Raila quoted Tanzania's founding father Julius Nyerere who said unity of Africa will not make the continent rich but it would make it difficult for African people to be disregarded and humiliated.
“I will keep on driving the handshake agenda, which is to unite the country,” he reiterated.
In August, Raila launched his Azimio la Umoja campaign slogan in Nakuru County which mirrored his call for unity.
He unveiled his strategic plan aimed at uniting the country ahead of the 2022 General election dubbed as ‘Azimio la Umoja’ which he says provides a conducive environment for the realisation of the Vision 2030 .
Kamanda said Kenya would have fallen apart had Uhuru and Raila not put aside their differences for the sake of unity of the country.
“Before the March 2018 handshake, we were almost going to the fire. Uhuru and Baba came together and prevent what would have been total chaos,” he said.
“We were telling Uhuru to use all his powers while at the same time Baba knew he had the people and he would have marched straight into State House”.
He described the two leaders as Statesmen saying there were very few such people in the continent.
Gumo asked Kenyans to give Raila a chance to lead the country in 2022 since the former Prime Minister has demonstrated he has the interest of Kenya at heart.
“I assure you if you give Raila the opportunity to lead this country, he will perfom wonders. We need good leadership. We know so many people who have made good promises but never dlivered,” he added.
Raila used the occasion to remind his supporters that he will declare his presidential bid on December 10.
“I have gone to all regions of the country where I have been asking people if I should go for the top seat. Next month on December 10 at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani , I will announce my decision,” he stated.
Even though there has been no doubt that he will contest for the top seat, the former Prime Minister has not formally declared his candidature.
It will be Raila's fifth stab at the presidency, having made unsuccessful runs in 1997, 2007, 2013 and 2017.