Raila Odinga rejects call to vie for Homabay seat

Raila has turned down the proposal to vie for the Homabay senatorial seat. The Cord leader, who was expected to announce his decision on Thursday this week after elders and leaders from Nyanza gave him three days to make up his mind, maintained that he intends to focus on preparing the ODM party for the next general election and also keep the government on its toes.

“Mimi nimetoa uamuzi wa kutogombea kiti hicho cha Homabay”. I have decided not to vie for the Homabay senatorial seat.

“Please allow me to concentrate on your behalf, on creating a party machine and a strong Cord coalition partnership that can keep the government in check and advocate and promote the provision of services to the Kenyan people,” Raila said while addressing a press conference yesterday.

Raila was also quick to put to rest allegations that he was in cahoots with Nairobi governor Evans Kidero, who was present during the news conference.

“There is always insinuations that the governor of Nairobi and Raila have problems but I want to assure you that there is no problem between Raila and Kidero.” He said.

RELIEF FOR CANDIDATES EYEING THE HOMABAY SENATORIAL SEAT

Candidates who had expressed interest in the Homabay by-election received the news with great relief.

“I take this with great relief because you can imagine if I was to face the Prime Minister in that area I would have naturally just withdrawn my candidature. But now this puts me in the same race with my peers”, said one of the contenders.

ODM has until the 19th of this month to produce its flag bearer in the upcoming Homabay by-election which has been scheduled for the 2nd of February 2015.

Raila also said that ODM is seeking all legal avenues to see if they can be allowed to directly pick the Member of Parliament for Kajiado Central who will replace Joseph Ole Nkaissery after he’s approved by parliament.

Nkaissery was nominated by president Uhuru to take over the security docket from Joseph Oke Lenku.

Kenyan electoral law states that politicians can only contest one position in national government and, as Raila Odinga had fought for and lost the presidential seat, he was leading his party without a position in national governance.