Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has denied claims that he is waiting for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s endorsement in the approaching 2022 general elections.– By Caleb Mwikya.
The former prime minister stated that he has never relied on endorsements to run for a political office.
“I’m not asking for a pat on the back from anyone.”
Raila, saying he will not speak of his 2022 plans until after the BBI, added that should he choose to vie, he “will be looking for votes, not endorsements.
“I will be looking for votes from President Uhuru and others if I decide to vie for the Presidency.
The former PM exuded the confidence that the country still has a chance to hold a referendum to implement the BBI recommendations.
The BBI is seeking to introduce an expanded executive to include a prime minister and two deputies as well as increase the share of revenue to counties to 35 per cent.
Raila said most of the proposals in the BBI document require a vote of the people to either approve or reject the same.
He described the petitions lodged against the BBI as unnecessary adding that those against the process have a chance to campaign and convince their supporters to vote No.
“Why would some people waste our time in courts yet they can go to wananchi and seek their view through the referendum?” the ODM leader asked in an interview with Radio Citizen. Our team has been clear that we will accept the outcome,” he said
He said the proposals in the BBI are not from the blues, adding that the same had been floated in the Bomas Draft before being changed by a few MPs in Naivasha.
Raila dismissed assertions that the BBI would increase the burden of running government reiterating that the reverse is true. To say that people are increasing seats to burden Kenyans is a wrong analogy,” he said.
The former premier also dismissed assertions that the BBI would cause an extension of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s term.
Raila implored Kenyans to shun the negative politics around the BBI proposals explaining that the BBI aims at reducing the burden of running the government.
At the moment, we have MPs and CS being paid separately which is costlier for Kenyans.”
He said that with increased allocation to counties, services will improve at the grassroots for the benefit of the youth, mama mboga and elderly persons.
