Raila promises special fund to develop marginalized counties if elected president

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has promised to address inequality he says has faced counties such as West Pokot for a long period.

Speaking on Monday at a consultative meeting in Kapenguria, Odinga said if voted president next year, he will ensure there is an equalization fund to support counties such West Pokot, adding that the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) was meant to increase resources to seal the disparity.

The ODM leader said the government should put in place measures to ensure that resources are trickled down to less-developed counties. 

“We need to extend the railway line from Kitale to here. Recently we extended the Standard Gauge Railway line by 23 kilometers in only months, so bringing the railway here is a small thing,” said Raila.

Raila further assured Kenyans that he will ensure counties receive a boost by allocating sufficient cash to address the infrastructures at the grassroots level.

“This area can very much be self-sufficient in food production because of the weather. But you find that the farmers of maize are not happy people because of the cartels who have infiltrated the fertilizer and seed business,” said Raila.

“These cartels are making our production costs high, and they are known. They should be arrested and jailed,” he added.

The delegates meeting was attended by  governors Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo-Marakwet) and host governor John Lonyangapuo.

In his Monday tour, Raila also addressed residents at Kishaunet show ground and later Kapenguria town.