Vote me to realise my manifesto, Raila

Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga has sounded a passionate appeal to Kenyans to consider him for his presidency.

He said it is only through the victory that he would have a chance to realise the development manifesto he launched last week.

The economic blueprint unveiled, said Odinga, would only remain just a piece of paper if wananchi fail him in his quest.

"To ensure we realise all that we have set for you, let's team up, walk together down this path to victory ," Odinga said.

The Azimio leader was speaking in Kitutu Chache North in Kisii on Monday during the burial of Priscah Asanyo, mother to Kanu era tycoon Geoffrey Asanyo.

Asanyo is now the current ODM party candidate for Kitutu Chache North parliamentary seat.

The burial at Isecha was attended by dozens of local and national leaders among them County Governor James Ongwae, who is embroiled in a vicious war with Dagoreti North MP Simba Arati for the control of the Odinga presidential campaigns in Nyanza.

Ongwae was the master of ceremony.

Arati who was also present spoke briefly, promising Odinga a bruising battle to ensure he secures more votes from the region.

Wiper party boss Kalonzo Musyoka and Odinga running mate Martha Karua also attended.

Also in the burial were Nyamira Governorship candidates Timothy Bosire and Ben Momanyi.

Odinga said Kenya was on a threshold of a new dawn to liberate itself from disease, poverty and ignorance adding that this would be realised if Kenyans vote wisely come August.

The Azimio manifesto, he observed, puts a priority on the poor and the struggling peasant and thus the need to be given a chance at leadership.

Odinga's administration would also set up industries across the counties to aid in value addition and partly address unemployment among the youth.

"It is on this premise that we are talking about the soapstone plant in Tabaka here in Kisii. A similar investment will be done on coffee, tea and other crops in other parties to boost our farmers' earnings," the ODM party boss said.

He said as a president, he would continue to remain committed to ensuring Kenya has free education from primary school level to high school.

"Investment in this sector would be deliberate and is part of our broad converted efforts to confront the ravages of ignorance, "he said

He promised to leverage women, the jua kali and bodaboda sectors to improve the player's livelihoods when he becomes president.

Odinga said he would too ensure his baba care health care scheme would be rolled out to benefit the majority of elderly who are struggling to make ends meet.

Widows and single mothers also stand to benefit if he is elected president, said Odinga.

Karua asked Kenyans to exercise diligence in sifting truth and fake campaign promises during this electioneering period.

"We are in that moment that voters should know who will represent their aspirations up there and vote accordingly," said Karua.

Kalonzo on his part said the country is on the precipice of picking a leader or a con who would hold it in ransom.

"Let's turn out in large numbers to make a statement that in Azimio we can," he stated.

Agriculture CS Peter Munya told farmers that Odinga has guaranteed them a safe landing when he wins.

Many of the political leaders present said they would continue to rally their electorate in their respective places to vote for Odinga as president.

Embakasi East MP Musili Mawathe on his part endorsed Simba Arati to be Governor in Kisii.

He also told the electorate to back Odinga to make his dream of being the country's fifth president a reality.

Ms Priscah Asanyo passed on last week.