Two cabinet ministers have hit out at Prime Minister Raila
Odinga's remarks that he is best suited to be Kenya's fourth president
because of his reform credentials.
Housing Minister Soita Shitanda and East Africa
Community Assistant Minister Peter Munya said Mr Odinga was using his
reform criteria to hoodwink Kenyans so as to vote for him in the next
general elections.
Speaking at Muthara Hospital when he officiated the
opening of the Muthara Doctors Residence and the Appropriate Building
Technology Center(ABT)in Tigania East constituency, Mr Shitanda
cautioned Kenyans to be wary of leaders who were out to use their votes
for selfish benefits.
“Those thinking that Kenyans owe them a debt because
they are reformists let them write an invoice to the Treasury so that
they can be paid. The only reformers that we recognize are our fore
fathers who are the freedom fighters who fought for independence.”
“If
we were of age we would also have be on the fore front to champion for
reforms and thus they should desist from using history,family ties and
their communities to vie for the presidency.”he said.
He noted that all presidential hopefuls would be keen
on getting the regions support and therefore urged the community to be
wise when voting.
He accused the PM of neglecting Western Province after
the formation of the coalition government despite offering their
support for ODM during the elections.
“The PM had overwhelming support from the people of
western province but he deserted us. We were not even able to get a
slice of the half loaf of bread he kept complaining about and we would
want to have similar infrastructural developments that Nyanza province
has. If you are to elect a national leader look at what he can do for
you as a community and the country.”he said.
He called for respect between the political parties
adding that it would be the only way to forge peaceful relationship
between all contestants.
Tigania East MP accused party hopping MPs of being 'greedy and unfocused'.
Mr Munya said the Meru community ought to be careful when scrutinizing the presidential aspirants. “How
can one refer to himself as a reformist when his ministries in the wing
of the coalition government are ridden with mega corruption scandals?
Look at the NHIF saga,Youth Fund scandal and other corruption cases?”
he asked.
He exuded confidence that Alliance Party of Kenya (APK) would get a driver soon. He ,however,cautioned those disrespecting the party to desist from doing so saying that APK was an equal to all other parties. He said the party would soon select its preferred presidential candidate.
“The political dynamics and scenario in this country have
totally changed. We as APK are going to support that candidate who will
adhere to our terms and conditions if he is elected as the
president.”said Munya.
He called on all presidential
candidates to tour the region and sell their policies to the Meru
people so that they could vote without undue influence.
“Kenyans have no other option but to vote for a respectable leader who has the best character.”said Munya.
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