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| ODM leader Raila Odinga |
Current challenges in ODM making some people imagine that
party leader Raila Odinga could be on his last political legs is a welcome test
which all members and leaders within the party should seize to re-invigorate
the party and shame those wishing the country's most influential political
outfit doom, chairman of the Friends For Raila (FORA) lobby group Micah Kigen
says.
"It is during times of trouble and trials that a
leader's and an organization's resolve, strength, commitment and resilience are
proved. Anything to the contrary spells doom. The example of Jesus Christ when
tempted by Satan himself whom he rebuked and turned away is a valid
lesson", he charged in a strongly-worded press statement.
The chairman exhorted all ODM loyalists and supporters to
rally behind Raila Odinga and help him restore order in the party as soon as
possible as the party braces itself for victory in 2017.
"Those peddling speculation about Raila's heir having
been identified should be rebuked and counseled back into the ODM house.
Agwambo is our sure bet for 2017. We cannot afford to gamble with that ticket
at this time", Kigen cautioned.
"Our brother- Nairobi Governor Dr. Evans Kidero, whom
some quarters appear to be encouraging to challenge Raila for the 2017 ticket,
is humbly advised not to play into the hands of the enemies of the people of
Kenya".
ODM opponents, the chairman pointed out, fully understand
that a united ODM and Cord has a big potential of wresting power from the
current occupants of the highest seat in the land during the next polls.
It is for this reason that government apparatchiks are
burning midnight oil to split ODM's bedrock support in regions as their best
saviour, Kigen contended.
"They thus could have infiltrated our ranks and belief
that if Dr. Kidero is misled to vie,
Nyanza votes will be badly split to curtail Raila Odinga's march to
State House", he asserted.
If Dr Kidero really loves Kenyans and Cord, the Fora boss
advised, he should steer clear off the path he appears to have taken and bid
his time.
"He is still young enough to wait for 2027 when Raila
will be retiring from the Presidency, But not now. What will Dr. Kidero gain if
he splits our votes in 2017 to enable Jubilee retain power and misrule Kenya while he
just remains an ordinary mwanainchi leaking wounds of defeat?" Kigen
posed.
The same applies to other Cord members currently
effervescing with hot political adrenaline, the chairman charged
"Let them cool down and look at the bigger
picture. For sure if they vie in 2017,
they know it, as well as their supporters and we also know it too, that they
will only serve in facilitating Jubilee's undesired retention of power to the
disadvantage of the opposition which will lose. Let us all open our eyes and
refuse to be divided. Our unity is our victory, protector and insurance against
a bleak future", Kigen concluded.
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