Last kicks of a dying horse or blackmailing the helpless? Raila: I will not vie for presidency if ODM loses in Ndhiwa

Source: Standard Media; Saturday, September 15, 2012  

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said he will not seek for presidency if ODM candidate loses in the Ndhiwa by-election.

Raila said it would be a big embarrassment in his political career if the electorate rejected ODM candidate Augustino Neto Oyugi in Monday’s by-elections.

The Premier noted that the party is confident that Oyugi would beat his rivals and have ODM retain the seat.

“Ka ok umiya Neto kaka Jaodbura maru to kata an ok abichung e kom maduong cha (If you do not give me Neto as your MP, then I will not vie for the top seat),” he said at rally at Magina Trading Centre, Saturday.

He said a win for the party in Ndhiwa will be a barometer on its performance in next year’s polls.

To show how the party was keen on clinching the seat, which fell vacant after the demise of Internal Security Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode, the premier made over ten stopovers in the expansive constituency.

Raila said his political opponents for the presidency are closely watching the performance of ODM in the Ndhiwa by-election.

“It will be a big shame if ODM loses the by-election.  I am supposed to be busy campaigning areas outside my stronghold. I expect you to campaign for me in this region,” said the PM.

He, however, said the party faces some challenges in the by-election, although he did not elaborate.

Other candidates in the by-election are Tom Alila (Kanu) and Rosemary Rumo (TNA).

There was massive mobilisation by ODM, with Raila’s convoy having close to 200 vehicles.

Mr Alila marvelled at ODM’s campaign team, saying:  “You can see the massive deployment of resources that is being used to contain me.”

Speaking in Dholuo, Raila urged the electorate to elect Oyugi, saying he is young and energetic. The ODM candidate is aged 35, and if he wins on Monday, he will become the youngest MP in the current Parliament.

“He has the energy to serve you and can be trusted to server you. Please give him a chance,” said the PM

The PM also reiterated that he was not too old to seek the top seat.

“There are people saying I should retire with President Kibaki, but I want to state that I am ready for my opponents,” he said at Lwanda Kawuor Trading Centre.

Among those in the campaign trail were Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang’, Energy Assistant Minister Langat Magerer and ten ODM MPs from Nyanza Province.