Azimio to Deny Mt Kenya Aspirants who do not Campaign for Raila Financial Support

The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party will not financially support aspirants in the Mt Kenya region who do not back Raila Odinga for president.

The idea was presented to the coalition’s flagbearer on Wednesday at Thika Greens hotel when he met with Murang’a aspirants.

Aspirants appear to have avoided aligning themselves with the Odinga presidential campaign, preferring to present themselves as Jubilee Party candidates.

“We want foot soldiers who are brave and optimistic. In Mt Kenya we know it might be tougher than in other areas. But keep the faith and remain committed to the cause. We have other fronts that are performing very well in this war and I guarantee you that we are winning,” said the former premier.

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He stated that he is aware that foot soldiers require “weapons and ammunition” (financial support) in order to fight the battle (elections).

“Those who have shown commitment will get lots of ammo from me. Do not have any doubts about that. I have since directed that we get ward, constituency and county campaign committees and sync them with the presidential campaign secretariat that has former Jubilee Party secretary-general Raphael Tuju as the executive director,” he added.

The ODM party leader was responding to concerns raised by Gatanga MP Nduati Ngugi.

Ngugi said: “We have run out of ammunition and that is why we appear to have taken cover to a point we are said to be retreating.”

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“It will be very critical that all aspirants who are contesting under the Azimio ticket offer evidence that they are committed to our cause and this is through making available campaign materials that prominently have the Odinga presidential bid as our commitment,” he added.

He stated that billboards and posters promoting Mr Odinga as the preferred presidential candidate should begin to appear in the Mt Kenya region.

Echoing his sentiments was Evelyne Waithera, a Murang’a Woman Rep aspirant, who stated that aspirants require “special help” to properly campaign for Mr Odinga.

“A special Odinga campaign committee should be on the ground to help us since it will be tough to seek individual votes as well as campaign for him. We want a team that will do the hard digging as we aspirants follow in farrowing…it’s a hard job,” she said.

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Former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth said they would have to work harder to ensure Odinga bags a large number of votes in the polls.

“But you need not worry about the competition that we are facing in Mt Kenya. We are campaigning against a wing that is super in spreading propaganda, lies and abuse to our leaders and government. Ours is to undo that and present Mr Odinga as the panacea for that deception,” he said.

Mr Kenneth went on to say that he had volunteered to physically, financially, and morally support faithful aspirants on the campaign trail who would demonstrate their devotion to the Odinga presidency.

He also urged hopefuls to band together and release a calendar of campaign rallies.

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Mr Kenneth also stated that he will continue on his path to the presidency, which he began in 2019 by networking with Mr Odinga’s men.

“I have been bringing together elders from our side with those from Mr Odinga’s backyard. We have been planning with the President on how to actualise the Odinga presidency. We are now at that critical final kick where it all matters about loyalty and commitment,” he said.

If everything goes according to plan, Mr Odinga plans to seek a super majority in the National Assembly, Senate, and county assemblies.

“To seamlessly push the government agenda, we need to paint all houses with Azimio colours. When I am working at State House, I should be guaranteed numbers to push through our collective promise to the people,” he said.

“We have to really work hard for those numbers and one way of doing so is to be fully committed to my campaigns in your areas.”