• Raila expressed commitment in the conservation of Mau forest saying that the illegal encroachers have been destroying the largest water catchment area.
• Ledama told DP to stop fooling Kenyans that he supports the conservation of Mau forest saying he failed to restore it during his time in government.
Image: Kiplagat Kipkirui
The Azimio La Umoja brigade on Tuesday stormed Narok County to consolidate the support and fight for its share of 320,000 votes in the county.
The team led by Azimio presidential aspirant Raila Odinga arrived in five choppers in a show of might for the campaign launch of Narok West Jubilee Parliamentary aspirant Julius ole Kirrokor at Aitong area of Narok West sub-county, at the outskirt of world-famous Maasai Mara Game reserve.
Raila used the opportunity to drum up support from the Maasai community saying they will benefit a lot from his administration.
Raila expressed commitment to the conservation of Mau forest saying illegal encroachers have been destroying the largest water catchment area.
“I have been saying if it means denying me a top seat by conserving the Mau forest, I am ready for it because millions of livelihoods are depending on it,” said Raila.
He added if given the mandate in the August polls, he will ensure Mau forest and other water catchment areas are protected.
On the management of Maasai Mara, the former prime minister said his administration will ensure that the proceeds from the park will benefit the locals who have played a big part in conserving it.
In attendance were Narok senator Ledama ole Kina, MPs Moitalel ole Kenta (Narok North), Junet Mohammed (Suna East), Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja) and Sabina Chege (Muranga women representative).
Others were Gideon Konchellah (Kilgoris), Youth Affair PS Charles Sunkuli, Peter Kenneth, former GDC MD Engineer Johnson ole Nchoe and Post Bank chairman Ntoros Baari ole Senteu.
Kenta said Mau forest should be conserved by all means and blamed the Kenya Kwanza leadership for lying to the people on the restoration of the forest.
“I thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta for standing with Raila and ensuring that Mau is protected,” said Kenta.
Kenta denied claims that he has endorsed DP for the presidency saying those spreading propaganda have missed the point.
Ledama told DP to stop fooling Kenyans that he supports the conservation of Mau forest saying he failed to restore it during his time in government.
“Kenyans are wise and they should stop fooling us that when elected they will conserve Mau forest and he failed when they were in power,” said Ledama.
Junet said that Raila should be given credit for conserving Mau forest.
“I am wondering why the DP is claiming to be in the frontline in the conserving of the forest and yet he has been protecting evictees from being removed from the illegal land,” said Junet.
Opiyo said that the Kenya Kwanza team has nothing to offer to Kenyans as its leader Ruto has been in power for 10 years and failed to initiate meaningful projects during his tenure.
Chege said that DP should stop blaming people for the current economic crisis and yet his people have been holding positions which should affect the economy of this country.
Kenneth said that the only person who can strengthen the economy is Raila and called on Kenyans to vote for him in the August polls.
“Those who are in Kenya Kwanza are the ones who were in charge of the economy and they should have improved it when they were in power instead of now moving around the country blaming the government,” said Kenneth.
He hit out at Ruto for failing to conserve Mau forest adding that his leadership style cannot be trusted at the helm of this country.
Konchellah took a swipe at the Narok county government for failing to utilize proceeds from the Maasai Mara Game Reserve.
“The government agencies should investigate the issue of proceeds from Mara and those involved should be prosecuted for mismanagement of the public resources,” said Konchellah.