Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga has advanced his efforts to woo Mt. Kenya region in Nanyuki as he winds up his three-day tour of the region.
Raila, today morning met four County Governors drawn from Mt. Kenya region who have announced plans to popularise Raila in the region.
In a statement read by Laikipia Governor Nderitu Muriithi, the four governors and Raila discussed on areas of mutual interest on Mt Kenya region in particular, expansion of local economic opportunites through creation of sustainable institutions.
“We have also discussed the growth of the economy and we conclude that this must be supported by very sound institutions and not by tokenism. In particular, we’ve discussed inclusion of stimulus package to cushion the Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises that have been devastated by the global economic factors as well as unfavourable policies,” read Nderitu.
They also said that they are planning meetings which will incorporate every segment of the population.
“We shall plan and coordinate structured engagement with the region focusing on elected leaders, community leaders, business leaders, farmers’ organizations, the faith organizations, and key opinion leaders and shapers in the region,” they said.
And the meetings, they announced, will lead to a pronouncement on the region’s preferred candidate in next year’s Presidential elections.
“This weekend is the first engagement in a series of consultative meetings planned across the entire region that will definitely culminate in a declaration,” they announced.
They also discussed strategies on youth empowerment, equitable distribution of resources, question of security particularly respecting life and properties in the region and beyond.
On his part, Raila said this is part of consultative meetings across the country with is dialogue so as to identify problems affecting different parts of the country and come up with requisite policies to address them.
He said his meetings with local leaders, youth representatives, students representatives, SMEs amongst others gave him an opportunity to discuss his vision for the region.
The four county chiefs included Nderitu , Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru), James Nyoro (Kiambu), and Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua).