Raila Says Majimbo to End Poverty

from All Africa

East African Standard (Nairobi)

By Ben Agina And Cyrus Kinyungu
Nairobi

ODM presidential candidate, Mr Raila Odinga, took his campaign to Moyale and Marsabit, where he promised a devolved government.

Raila said devolution was the only way power and resources would reach and be shared by the marginalised communities. Raila blamed former regimes for poverty in the region.

Speaking after a rally in Moyale, Sololo and Marsabit, Raila said as Minister for Roads, he had prioritised the tarmacking of Isiolo-Moyale road, but his plans were ignored.

"There was too much red tape that the construction of this road never took off," he said.

Mr William Ruto said the people from the region had been taken for granted.

Also in the entourage was former Mandera Central MP, Mr Kerrow Billow, the Muslim Leaders Forum leader, Mr Abdullahi Abdi, and the mayor of Migori, Mr Junet Mohammed.

And speaking at Bumala, Matayos and Busia in Western Province, the party running mate, Mr Musalia Mudavadi, called on voters to ignore claims that the party's system of government would lead to displacement.

"What we are advocating for is a devolution system where resources would be distributed equitably," said Mudavadi.

"We are advocating for a devolved system of government as provided for by chapter 14 of the Bomas draft," added party chairman, Mr Henry Kosgey.

Meanwhile, 1,200 parliamentary aspirants returned their nomination papers at Orange House to beat the deadline. The National Election Board is set to close the submission of the papers to prepare for nomination this week.

Board chairman, Justice Richard Kwach, said the nomination date has not been set. ODM had attracted more than 14,000 aspirants for the 210 parliamentary seats.

Those who returned the forms include former nominated MP, Mr Franklin Bett, and former EPZ chief executive, Mr Albert Gumo.

-Additional Reporting by Renson Buluma, Moses Njagi and Ayub Savula