Independent candidates are not part of us Raila

Opposition leader, Raila Odinga, has called on the electorates to vote only for candidates in the National Super Alliance (NASA) affiliate parties during the August 8 General Election.

The former Premier, who was speaking on Saturday, May 21 in Rarieda Constituency, urged NASA supporters not to vote for independent candidates, so as to help the opposition outfit command the majority in both the National Assembly and the Senate.

“We now want to go battle it out with our opponents and we will move with those flying our flag,” said Raila.

According to the NASA flag bearer, independent candidates are likely to dilute NASA numbers in both assemblies, urging voters to treat them with disdain.

“Our uniform is orange (ODM). We also have ANC, Wiper, Ford Kenya and CCM, they are also part of us in NASA .”

Odinga’s sentiments were echoed by Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader, Musalia Mudavadi.

“If we, NASA Co-principals, accepted to support Mr Odinga at the presidential level, even leaders in lower positions should accept defeat and support winners in the concluded party primaries,” said Musalia Mudavadi.

This comes even as Kakamega Senator, Dr. Bonny Khalwale warned the opposition leader against imposing leaders on the constituents of Western Kenya.

Khalwale told Raila that Western Kenya leaders entrusted him with national leadership and therefore he should leave it to the people on ground to elect their own leaders without preferential treatment of certain candidates.

Things were, however, different in Kitui as Wiper Leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, bowed to pressure, saying that he is ready to work with any candidates that will be chosen by the Kamba people regardless of party and especially in the Kitui gubernatorial race where his close ally, Senator David Musila, bolted out of Wiper citing a sham nomination exercise that announced Governor Julius Malombe the winner of the party ticket.

“If the people decide it is Charity Ngilu, I will work with her, whether it is Malombe, I will work with him. If they decide it is Musila, I will work with Musila. Even when Musila tendered his resignation to me in form of a letter, I have never replied because I still want him to be the party chairperson,” said Kalonzo.

Written by Majanga Michael