ODM leader Raila Odinga receives 25 defectors from Meru County

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has reaped from his recent tour of Meru region with a section of leaders allied to Amani National Congress (ANC) from Mt. Kenya East decamping to his party.

The leaders vowed to hit the road running to campaign for Odinga’s State House bid, terming him a leader keen on addressing the needs of the people.

While welcoming them to the ODM fold, Odinga dismissed his opponents criticising his forays into the Mt. Kenya region, saying he was confident he would get the support of the vote-rich region.

The defectors were led by Jacob Nairoti, who until then was the regional coordinator for the ANC party in the Mt. Kenya region, tagging along former Member of Parliament for Ntonyiri presently Igembe North, Ntoithia M’Mthiaru, Lucy Mukaria, a member of the Meru County Assembly, and former Permanent Secretary Mukiri Kirinya among others.

“It is a party that cares for the interest and development of Kenyans, so you’re in the right place,” said Lilian Gogo, MP, Rangwe.

With realignments being witnessed across the political divide, Odinga’s allies extended an olive branch to fellow political leaders ahead of the August 9 polls.

“Baba ako na maono mengi kwa nchi yetu including ndugu zetu wa kule nje, hata ndugu yetu William Ruto tunamwomba kuwa akifika mahali afikirie vizuri, akuje Baba aongoze mara moja tusikuwe na shughuli nyingi,” said Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati.

EALA MP Oburu Odinga, on his part, stated: “Hawa wengine hawajavuka lakini wanaunga mkono, tumesema hata wengine ambao wanataka kuungana na sisi wakuje waungane na sisi ata bila kuvunja vyama yao tufanye kazi pamoja.

Odinga told off those questioning his sustained campaign in the Mt. Kenya region saying Kenyans were free to traverse any part of the country.

“Nilikuwa juzi huko Meru, wengine walikuwa wanasema kupanda mlima ni ngumu sana, watu wa kutoka ziwani hawawezi kupanda mlima. Mimi nikawaambia jina yangu ingine naitwa tinga tinga, kati ya hiyo na wheelbarrow gani inaweza panda mlima haraka?” He posed.

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said: “Wengine wameanza kutuambia ati unaweza panda mlima mpaka juu lakini watu hawako huko, kwani nyinyi watu wa Mt. Kenya mnabebwa kwa mifuko ya watu? Wale watu tulikutana nao Meru, walikuwa watu ama miti?”

In line with his ‘Azimio la Umoja’ unity call, Odinga implored the new members to be ambassadors of peace even as he outlined his strategy for reviving the country’s economy and improving the livelihoods of vulnerable Kenyans though the social protection program.