Raila: Why 2017 is different from 2013 election
The National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential candidate Raila Odinga has sought to explain why the 2017 election will be different from that that of 2013 despite the line ups being similar.
The former Prime Minister argued that in 2013, Kenyans had not tested the leadership of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto but now they have.
Mr Odinga and his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka will take on President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto on August 8, a rematch of 2013.
After Odinga-Kalonzo line up was unveiled in April, Mr Ruto was dismissive of the idea, quipping: “Kwa sababu wameleta wangwana wale wale, tunawaambia wembe ni ule ule.”
But speaking on Citizen Radio on Friday morning, Mr Odinga said Kenyans have learnt from experience.
RAILAPHOBIA
“Kenyans did not know Uhuru and Ruto. Now they know them,” he said.
“Also back then, they rode on ICC and Mau forest propaganda saying I had taken them to The Hague and that I had evicted people from the forest. Things have now changed. They have been in government for 4 and half years and all Kenyans are crying.”
Mr Odinga also said the digital versus old guard line will not hold this time.
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“They can no longer claim to be digital. They had given a promise of laptops in 100 days something they haven’t done. They also said they would signs from hakuna kazi to kuna kazi which they also haven’t done,” he said.
Mr Odinga further blamed the two for fanning Railaphobia, albeit maintaining that only a fraction of Kenyans fear him.
“Many Kenyans call me baba. Even in Thika and Githurai only a few people who had been paid or drunk caused the fracas.
PROPAGANDA
Most Kenyans have faith in me. The few others will see what I can do once I’m in power,” he said.
“Back in 2003 as we were taking President Mwai Kibaki to Othaya while he still had a cast, people along the way called me mutongoria njamba (courageous leader). The propaganda has been brought by the current competitors who call me kimundu muguruki (mad man). But the coming election will prove that Raila Odinga is not an enemy.”
He said he, for instance, got votes from all polling stations unlike his competitors who got zero votes in some stations.
He said landlords and businessmen would not bleed under his reign.
“I’m a businessman and I know that once you invest you need to have return on investment or else the economy will collapse. We want our economy to flourish so that our youth can get jobs,” he said.
