• Raila said his agenda is to see a united, peaceful and prosperous country as envisioned under the Azimio La Umoja.
• The ODM leader pledged to revive Molo's collapsed timber business.
Image: RAILA ODINGA TWITTER
ODM leader Raila Odinga kicked off his 9-day campaigns marathon in Nakuru’s Molo area on Wednesday with a message to unite Kenyans if elected the next president in the forthcoming election.
The opposition chief said his agenda is to see a united, peaceful and prosperous country as envisioned under the Azimio La Umoja.
“I want to see a country where we all can live and work freely anywhere in the four corners of our country,” Raila said.
“Tunataka kuunganisha wakenya kama kitu kimoja ili tutekeleze ile ndoto ya mababu zetu,” he added.
This translates to, “We want to unite Kenyans and achieve our forefathers’ dreams.”
He promised Molo residents that he will seek President Uhuru Kenyatta’s intervention in reviving the timber industry in the area which slumped following the state-imposed moratorium on logging.
“We will also build factories in agricultural zones to ensure our farmers don’t run into losses as a result of spoilt produce,” Raila said.
Molo is a well-known enterprise zone that mainly specializes in dairy, maize, beans, Irish potato, wheat, fruits, vegetables, and flower production.
Raila said his administration will strengthen the agriculture sector by lowering the cost of farm inputs to ensure farmers reap maximum profits from their hard work.
“We shall lower the cost of fertilizer from Sh6,000 to Sh2,000 so that farmers can enjoy their sweat,” Raila said.
The ODM leader was accompanied by a number of elected MPs and governors who are part of his elaborate campaign team.
They included Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, Kieni MP Kanini Kega, Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina and Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui.
On healthcare, Raila said his government will foot medical bills for vulnerable Kenyans who won’t be able to afford to pay for premiums under his ambitious Babacare health insurance plan.
“Kwa hivyo serikali yetu ni serikali ya wakenya wote. Hatutaki kazi ya wheelbarrow,” Raila said.
The rally in Molo is one of the many others lined for Raila over the next nine days.
The busy schedule will see him traverse the Rift Valley, Nyanza, Western, Eastern, Central, Northeastern and Nairobi regions until March 12.
The series of campaigns that are aimed at galvanizing Azimio la Umoja’s support and dim Deputy President William Ruto’s popularity will culminate in a mega meeting in Nairobi, where the coalition’s presidential flagbearer will be unveiled.