'I have seen Canaan': Raila confident of victory as Azimio holds final rally in Kasarani

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party presidential candidate Raila Odinga on Saturday held his final campaign mega rally at the Kasarani stadium, where he expressed confidence at clinching victory at next week’s polls.

Odinga, addressing his multitude of supporters at the packed arena, urged them to turn up in large numbers on August 9 and cast their votes to ensure he, alongside his running mate Martha Karua, ascend to the presidency.

The former premier once again vowed to weed out corruption if elected Head of State, reiterating his promise to introduce the social protection fund where needy families will receive Ksh.6,000 monthly.

This, Odinga pledged, would be implemented within his first 100 days in power “until they can reach a place where they’re able to feed their children without our help.”

“We’re on the verge of a great victory. I, Raila Amollo Odinga, have seen Canaan; the land of milk and honey, the land of no woman cry.  I have seen the promised land, the land of the ‘redemption song’.  We know the battle is hardest when victory is nearest. Get ready my dear Kenyans, and keep the spirit of Aluta Continua,” he said.

“Next Tuesday, all Azimio followers are to be at their polling stations by 6am and cast their votes. August 9th marks the seventh multiparty elections in Kenya. Let us vote early, let us win early. I need the vote of each and every one of you listening to me now.”

He added: “People have asked us how we will give Ksh.6,000 to poor families, but that is the wrong question. The question you should be asking is how are a few corrupt people getting to be paid Ksh.800 billion every year from our budget? If we can afford to pay Ksh.800 billion to conmen, we can pay a mere Ksh.6,000 to known and real Kenyans struggling with life.”

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party boss further thanked his supporters for standing by him throughout his liberation journey, most especially his family and wife Ida Odinga whom he described as “the strongest woman known to me.”

He also commended his running mate Karua for her contribution to the struggle, terming her as fully fledged freedom fighter who has maintained her stand even through the toughest of times.

Odinga, however, poured scorn at their opponents in the Deputy President William Ruto-led Kenya Kwanza camp, presumably referring to them as joyriders who have never had to fight for any form of Kenya’s freedom.

“Fellow Kenyans, thank you for keeping the flames of freedom alive in our country. Thank you also for standing with me in the many years of struggle to liberate Kenya. Thank you for the battles we have fought together. The journey has been long, But I have not fought alone or felt lonely; we have fought together,” he said.

“Fellow Kenyans, by voting in our next deputy president, Martha Wangari Karua, you will have a complete army to fight for you and our country. Martha is a freedom fighter; she has stood for the rights of the people of Kenya. She has paid a price for it. She has stood straight even in times of great difficulty, that is something you won’t find on the other side; there are neither fighters nor fighting spirits on the other side.”

He added: “There’s no known fight for a better Kenya that has been led by people on the other side, the fighters are on this side. Wako hapa Kasarani leo. In my government , there will be no revenge. I choose to be the president for all.”

Odinga’s running mate Karua, on her part, reiterated that he is the most qualified to lead the country during theses hard economic times.

According to Karua, the ODM boss has over time been proven as the most capable politician with the interests of the country at heart.

“Kinara wangu Raila Amollo Odinga ni mzalendo, amepigania nchi yetu miaka yake yote. Ni mtu amepigania ukombozi wa pili na akasaidia kuleta katiba mpya. Hiyo wakati tulikuwa tunapigania katiba mpya, wale wapinzani wetu walikuwa wanapinga,” she said.

“Wakati amepata kutumikia Kenya kama waziri wa barabara mliona kazi yake. Hakuna mtu mwingine Kenya ako na qualifications za kuwa rais wa Kenya wakati huu isipokuwa ni Raila Amollo Odinga.”

She added: “Raila ni mtu wa kujitolea...alisema ‘Kibaki tosha’ akasahau yeye anaweza kuwa rais akaona Kenya iungane aikomboa kutoka kwa utawala wa kimambavu.”