- Team urged residents to reject all candidates seeking various elective seats in Nairobi under Ruto's Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
- Locals told the Azimio leader he has the solutions to the problems facing them.
Image: CHARLENE MALWA
Azimio la Umoja leaders continued with their campaigns in Nairobi, with calls to voters to resoundingly reject Deputy President William Ruto's overtures in the city.
In campaigns that entered the fifth straight day on Sunday, the team told Ruto to forget about winning the hearts of residents ahead of the General Election.
The group further urged residents to reject all candidates seeking various elective seats in Nairobi under Ruto's Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
The leaders have lined up a series of rallies in all the 17 constituencies in the city to prevent Ruto from getting a sizeable share of the over 2.3 million votes.
Addressing residents of Mathare, former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth said Raila will jet back into the country on Monday invigorated and prepared for intense campaigns in Nairobi and other parts of the country.
“I was with Raila in UK and he will be arriving tomorrow and he will continue with campaigns immediately,” he said.
Raila took a break from local campaigns, flying to the United Kingdom for a one-week visit.
He addressed the international community at the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Royal Institute of International Affairs or Chatham House.
His trip came barely a week after Ruto concluded his tour of the country, where had similar engagements.
On Sunday, the Azimio team told residents to vote for Raila because he has the solutions to the problems facing them.
“Raila has plans to give residents of Nairobi better roads, access to clean water and proper healthcare,” nominated MP Maina Kamanda said.
Kamanda further said President Uhuru Kenyatta has the democratic right to support a candidate of his choice.
“You should respect and know that he is free to vote for his candidate of choice who is Raila. Unknown to you, Uhuru will mobilise three to four million votes for Raila,” he added.
Other leaders present included senators James Orengo (Siaya), Beatrice Kwamboka (nominated) and MPs TJ Kajwang (Ruaraka), Babu Owino (Embakasi East), George Aladwa (Makadara), Tim Wanyonyi (Westlands) and ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna.
Owino asked residents of Nairobi to reject leaders who have been implicated in graft. “All leaders who have been implicated in corruption should be rejected at the ballot,” he urged.
Aladwa said Ruto should start preparing to be the Official Opposition leader.
Sifuna said it was absurd for Ruto to tell Raila to stop hiding behind Uhuru and face him. “You are very lucky that the President is in front of Raila. If you face Baba man to man, you will be in a lot of trouble. Be careful with what you wish for,” he stated.
Kenneth further told residents to reject politicians who insult the President in public rallies.
“Just know that when the President is insulted, it is you they are abusing because you are the ones who elected Uhuru,” he added.
“Elect people who will build the nation, not those who are very likely to destroy it.”
Orengo, who was also part of Raila's trip abroad, said the international community is aware of leaders who mean well for the country.
“I was in London with Baba and they know who the thieves and crooks are,” he added.