Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has unveiled his strategic plan aimed at uniting the country ahead of the 2022 General election.
Dubbed as ‘Azimio la Umoja’, the 2022 roadmap provides a conducive environment for the realization of the Vision 2030 development plan and building a nation where all rights are respected despite the position.
Speaking in Nakuru County, Raila says the objective was to dissect problems facing the country, among them political inclusion, divisive electoral processes, insecurity, corruption and reviving the economy.
“We are here to launch another united effort to address the problems afflicting our people. The journey we start today is intended to create the political and ideological unity that we require to confront the problems afflicting our people,” he said.
He said the country needs to promote and protect traders in small businesses from unfair competition from foreigners.
He noted that Kenyans need a nation where leaders serve them, not lord over them and a nation with zero corruption.
“We must start talking about elections that are not about government but governance. A country where elections are not death berths… We must help our people contain Covid-19 pandemic, rally them for vaccination,” he added.
He reiterated that leaders should fight for historically marginalised groups, unite to create wealth and shun using poverty as a tool for political gain.
He lashed out at leaders who take advantage of the Kenyans problems instead of solving them citing that the problems will go beyond 2022 if they are not addressed.
While addressing residents, Raila insisted the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) was on course ahead of the Court of Appeal judgment on Friday.
“On Friday we will wait for the court. If the ruling will be in our favour, no problem. If the ruling states otherwise no problem. But our initiative will go on. Nobody can stop reggae,” he said.
The former prime minister planted a tree after inspecting the refurbished Nyayo Gardens, before proceeding to hold a consultative meeting with county leaders at Sarova Woodland Hotel.
The ODM leader was accompanied by Nakuru governor Lee Kinyanjui, Youth and Gender Affairs Chief Administrative Secretary Rachel Shebesh, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Former Molo MP Njenga Mungai and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.
His visit to Nakuru came a few hours after Jubilee Party’s National Management Committee (NMC) approved a pre-election coalition agreement with ODM.
The NMC met the Parliamentary leadership today morning for consultations, after which it granted permission to the party secretariat to engage ODM.