If I Were President, Kenya Would Be Much Further- Raila Odinga

Leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Raila Odinga, during his coastal tour, expressed that if he had won the presidency, Kenyans would have enjoyed the governance of the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition government.

He commenced his tour in Lamu County on Monday, claiming that he was denied victory in the August 9, 2022 general election.

Lamu Resembling Dubai: While in Lamu, Odinga asserted that the alleged denial and mistreatment during the general election posed a significant obstacle to his plan to transform Lamu into a small Dubai, especially in terms of development.

Addressing his supporters in the meeting area of Mkunguni on Lamu Island, Odinga, accompanied by coastal leaders and ODM party officials, stated that, in collaboration with former President Mwai Kibaki, they initiated the Lamu Port and Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Infrastructure (Lapsset) Project. The primary goal was to expand Lamu and the entire Northern Kenya region in terms of infrastructure and development.

Odinga emphasized that if he had been elected President of Kenya in the August 9, 2022, General Election, his main objective was to build a modern railway (SGR) connecting Lamu to neighboring countries, including Ethiopia and Sudan.

He also expressed his ambition to construct modern roads to facilitate transportation, particularly of fish and other resources, and to enhance industries in the region.

In addition to infrastructure improvement, Odinga stated that, if elected in 2022, he aimed to build modern airports and industries to ensure Lamu’s expansion, similar to the development and business growth seen in Dubai.

“Lamu, through the Lamu Port Project (Lapsset), I had planned to develop and transform into a small Dubai. Votes were cast, we won, but our victory was denied. Today, I see the way your leadership is oppressing you. Citizens are suffering due to the high cost of living, but those in power cannot help. We must stand firm to liberate this country from corrupt politicians,” said Odinga.

During his speech, Odinga took the opportunity to urge residents of Lamu, the Coastal region, and the entire country to actively register as members of ODM to enable effective competition in the 2027 General Election.

“We are in Lamu to encourage all citizens to rise and register in large numbers to join ODM. We are ready. Let’s stand firm to defend our victory in 2027,” said Odinga.

His statement was supported by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, who emphasized that for the ODM party and the Azimio La Umoja coalition to gain more strength, citizens must actively register and stand firm as full ODM members.

Accompanying Odinga on the Lamu tour were former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Likoni MP Mishi Mboko, Jomvu MP Badi Twalib, Mombasa County Women Representative Zamzam Mohammed, Mombasa and Lamu councillors, and other leaders.

Tana River: Tuesday marked the second day of Odinga’s Coastal tour, during which he reassured that Suna East MP Junet Mohamed would not leave the party.

Odinga was responding to reports of plans to penalize Mohamed for his alleged avoidance of crucial party meetings, with suggestions that the party had written a letter to impose disciplinary measures on him and threatened to remove him as the Minority Whip in the National Assembly.

However, on Tuesday, Odinga dismissed these reports as “propaganda spread by the media.”

Speaking in Tana River County, Odinga urged his supporters to disregard the rumors. He stated that Mohamed had not gone anywhere, emphasizing that the reports were mere gossip, and the MP remained the Director of Campaigns in ODM and a leader in the Azimio coalition.

“Junet has not gone anywhere. He hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s just gossip spread by the media. A house with a husband and wife cannot lack differences in opinions. Those are normal things. Junet has not gone anywhere, and no one has touched him. He is the Campaign Director in ODM and a leader in the Azimio coalition. Everything written in the newspapers is propaganda,” said Odinga.

Odinga further argued that reports against Mohamed were “media inventions” and compared them to claims that the Azimio coalition was facing internal divisions.

Junet has long been one of Odinga’s closest allies and played a significant role in leading Odinga’s presidential campaigns in the August 9, 2022 election. However, since Odinga’s presidential defeat, Junet has been relatively silent compared to his previous active involvement.

Some leaders within the coalition have blamed Junet for contributing significantly to Odinga’s loss in the election.

Raila Criticizes President Ruto and Koome: Addressing ODM delegates in Malindi, Kilifi County, on Wednesday, Odinga accused the Office of the President of capturing essential government institutions that should operate independently according to the law.

Odinga claimed that the President is disrupting the judiciary, the National Assembly, and the Senate by pressuring these institutions to pass bills without thorough scrutiny.

Regarding the Monday talks between the Office of the President and the Judiciary, where National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula was also present, Odinga claimed that the discussions were conducted unlawfully.

He clarified that if there were any scandals within the judiciary, there were proper channels to address them.

“There are proper ways to bring reforms to the Judiciary, and these involve using independent institutions or special commissions, not the President, the judiciary, and the legislature,” Odinga said.

The Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition leader alleged that both national and senate parliaments were held captive by the President’s office and operated unlawfully.

“MPs pass everything that comes from State House. Nothing is changed. Bills are just sneaked into parliament, and the speaker decides that they must be passed within two hours. Nothing is debated… you cannot discuss a bill within two hours,” he said.

Odinga did not spare the speakers of both houses, stating that they violated the law by being involved when the President signs bills into law.

“The Speaker has no role after the bill leaves parliament. Nowadays, I see speakers from the Senate and the National Assembly going to State House and standing there witnessing the President signing bills. Shame on them!” he said.

On Thursday, Odinga will visit Kwale, and on Friday, he will be in Taita Taveta, concluding his tour in Mombasa County on Saturday.