Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga hit the campaign trail in Kajiado Central yesterday and cautioned voters not to be swayed by promises made by the Jubilee government. He said the Government had a reputation for breaking promises it had made during campaigns and never delivered on their pre-election pledges. Speaking at various stops where he drummed up support the ODM candidate Elijah Memusi, the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) said the government had in the past promised school children laptops but this promise was reneged.
In recent weeks, he said, some top Jubilee leaders had re-emerged after disappearing for two years and have been running around the constituency promising to build roads, schools and hospitals for Kajiado people. "That is empty rhetoric that should be dismissed," deserves," said Raila in campaigns ahead of the March 16 by-election. Raila was accompanied by Kisumu Senator Anyang' Nyong'o, ODM chairman John Mbadi, Suna MP Junet Mohammed, Ken Okoth (Kibra), Jakoyo Midiwo and Abdikadir Aden (Balambala).
Others who accompanied him included Wajir West MP Ore Abdikadir, EALA MP Nancy Abisai and governors Josephat Nanok (Turkana) and David Nkedianye (Kajiado). They addressed rallies at Oloorimirimi, Lorngoswa, Ilmopiok and Enkaroni and were met large crowds of Memusi's supporters. The ODM leader said CORD had held the seat until its MP Joseph Nkaiserry was appointed Cabinet Secretary and urged voters to return the seat to the party by overwhelmingly voting for Memusi. Raila asked voters to dismiss calls by Jubilee leaders pleading with them to join the government. "The Governor David Nkedianye belongs to CORD and therefore the Government is controlled by our party." To demonstrate their strength, Raila said the majority of county governments were were controlled by CORD. Therefore, by voting for Memusi, the constituents would be selecting a leader who can represent their interests and would not be a stooge for the Jubilee government. Prof Nyong'o told those who attended the rallies that Jubilee did not require more MPs and had misused their majority in Parliament. He urged the voters to settle Memusi who is able and independent-minded and could be compromised. Addressing the rallies, Memeusi claimed he had been offered large amounts of money to quit the race but had refused. "Money cannot sway me because all I want is to serve my people well," said Memusi Governor Nkadianye said Kajiado residents would decide on their own who to vote for. The leaders at the campaign rallies criticised National Assembly majority leader Aden Duale for disrespecting local Masaai leaders by making disparaging remarks about former cabinet minister William Ole Ntimama in his attempt to drum up support for their JAP candidate Patrick Tutui.
Governor Nkedienye said: "Duale should concentrate on Garissa issues if the only thing he can come and do in Kajiado is hurl abuses at Ntimama and other respected Masaai leaders." See also: Namwamba’s probe splits ODM leaders Junet asked residents not to be swayed by the promises made by Duale when his own constituency was lagging behind in development. " I have heard that you have been promised roads, piped water and even electricity by the JAP brigade led by my brother Duale. I was recently in his constituency and it lacked basic infrastructure. Next time he is here ask him to take these development projects to his constituency first before you to believe him," said Junet.