Raila Odinga’s Statement After Meeting with Nyanza ODM Delegates

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has issued a statement after his meeting with Nyanza counties ODM delegates in Oyugis.

In his statement, the ODM leader said that his desire is to have a united country and that Kenya must be cleansed of the spirit of anger, revenge and entitlement.

He called on Nyanza leaders to forge a united front as they seek to create opportunities for Kenyans.

“We are here to appeal that we join hands as a region, get our political act together, pull in one direction and use the unity to create opportunities for our people and the nation in return. If we are able to pull together as a region, identify our priorities together, back it up with political goodwill and unity, nothing will stop us from addressing the development needs of our people,” said the former PM.

Odinga went on to say that the country needs to focus on innovation to help tackle the current challenges, as he outlined his blueprint for growing the Nyanza region economically.

[ODM leader Raila Odinga]

“We come here today with a message of Unity, Reconciliation, Tolerance and Hope. We said this in Nakuru on Tuesday and we will say it again here. We must cleanse our country of the spirit of anger and bitterness, the spirit of revenge and entitlement. Our desire to unite our people and the country, the AZIMIO LA MUUNGANO is a noble and worthy cause. It deserves our support.

We need innovative ways to address the tribulations of rural women and the girl child, including access to credit, health care and education are among the many challenges they face. Sugar cane farming, which has long been the lifeline of this region has to be addressed comprehensively and changed radically. As it is today, sugarcane farming impoverishes instead of empowering the farmers.

Our capacity for Blue Economy remains grossly underutilized. Lake Victoria has much more to offer than just fish. We have not fully explored the lake’s capacity for tourism and maritime transport and aquaculture, among others,” read part of his statement.

Odinga called for the utilization of talent and digital infrastructure to enhance productivity for businesses in the region.

He insisted on more partnership between county and national governments to address issues of infrastructure in schools.

The ODM leader said the region needs to explore innovative ways to support the creation and growth of SMEs, particularly youth-owned businesses and protection of upcoming small-scale traders from competition from foreigners, neighboring countries, and punitive taxation.