Opposition chief Raila Odinga on Monday rallied his Nyanza backyard to register as ODM members saying the success or otherwise of the drive will determine whether he retires from politics or not.
Speaking during the launch of the initiative in Mbita, Suba North in Homa Bay County, the ODM boss said that some people have pushed him to hang his political boots.
“Some people are telling me that I should retire [from politics] because I am tired. Do you think I should retire?” Raila posed to the crowd, who roared a big No.
Raila was accompanied by several political leaders from Homa Bay led by Governor Gladys Wanga, Senator Moses Kajwang, ODM national chairman John Mbadi and Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo.
Raila said that the drive, which is meant to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 polls, will be crucial in deciding his political fate.
“At the end of this exercise, I will come and tell you my position. I want to you to register in your numbers so that we strengthen the party,” Raila said.
Raila has been facing pressure to resign from competition politics after he failed for the fifth time to clinch the presidency.
The ODM chief revisited past elections, saying he has never lost any poll safe the one held in 1997.
“The only elections that I have ever lost is the one of 1997 because we split votes and gave Nyayo a chance, and I conceded,” he said.
He said he beat former President Mwai Kibaki, former President Uhuru Kenyatta and President William Ruto.
However, he claimed the victory was stolen from him in all the scenarios.
“Did Kibaki beat me? Did Kibaki beat me? From where Kibaki is lying, he knows he did not beat me. Even Uhuru did not beat me. That’s why I shook his hands,” he said.
In last year’s election, Raila claimed that he beat Ruto in nearly all the regions – including Nyanza, Western, Coast, North Eastern, Maasai Land, Samburu and Turkana.
Raila also attacked US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman over her utterances that Ruto beat him in the last elections.
“We had seven commissioners, three agreed with the results and four rejected them. Between three and four who are the majority?... I told that woman that we would send you back to your country. This is not your country,” he said.
IEBC declared Ruto the winner of the hotly contested polls. The victory was upheld by the Supreme Court which threw a case filed by Raila and other petitioners.
While leading his support in ‘swearing in’ as party members, they want to strengthen the party and Azimio to dislodge the ‘dysfunctional’ UDA regime.
“We want to take ODM to where it belongs – the biggest, democratic and organised party – in East and Central Africa,” he said.
The former Prime Minister said President Ruto for chocking Kenyans with taxes.
“Taxes alone cannot bring development. You cannot tax people and you have not improved their incomes. It’s like you are milking a cow without milk. Only blood will come out,” he said.
Raila launched the drive in his Siaya home turf on Saturday.
He said the exercise will be rolled out countrywide and will culminate in a grassroots election scheduled for April next year.
The ODM leader also called on residents to accord governors in Luo Nyanza counties support to enable them to undertake development.
Raila said the region can now take advantage of the devolution to undertake development and transform the lives of residents.
The former premier said he is now happy to see governors, especially Homa Bay's Wanga and her Deputy Oyugi Magwanga implementing development projects to benefit the people.
A recent opinion poll by Infotrack on governors’ performance in the country listed Wanga at the top. Apart from Homa Bay, other counties in Luo Nyanza are Kisumu, Migori and Siaya.
“The governors are working hard to develop these areas which were previously sidelined in development. I want you to accord them the support so that they can positively change our lives,” Raila said.
Raila spoke on Monday after commissioning the Kamasengre Water Project and handing over Kiumba Fish Banda in Rusinga Island in the Suba North constituency.
On Sunday, Raila opened the Soklo health centre in the Mfangano ward which was constructed by the Homa Bay government.
He said such development projects have put the Homa Bay government on the top.
Raila said they fought hard for devolution to ensure decentralisation of resources for development.
Infrotrack also released a result that saw Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma and his Kasupil counterpart Ongondo take top positions.
Homa Bay Woman Representative Joyce Osogo also led in the utilisation of affirmative action funds.
Raila also criticised elected ODM leaders who have agreed to work closely with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“You should not be cheated that you have to join the government when you can get development. The new constitution stipulates roles of elected leaders,” he said.
Wanga said they can undertake development with ease because of devolution.
She said since the initiation of devolution they don't beg for resources from the national government for development.
Wanga said they are strong members of ODM and they will continue supporting the party.
“Devolution has made us undertake development with ease. Our MPs also have the opportunity to use committees to allocate funds for development in their respective constituencies,” Wanga said.
Homa Bay Senator Kajwang and nominated MP Mbadi assured Raila that they will remain steadfast in supporting the party.
Mbadi argued that MPs who rebelled against ODM have no place to go in the 2027 general elections.
“People have seen the way they have betrayed Raila and I assure you they will not get re-elected,” Mbadi said.
Kajwang said the rebel MPs will be defeated because the President they are supporting is becoming unpopular due to the high cost of living.
“Kenya Kwanza MPs have sensed the deterioration of Ruto and his administration. They have no place in the 2027 general poll,” Kajwang said.
Area MP Millie Odhiambo asked Suba residents to remain in ODM because it is the party that serves their interest.
