Support Uhurus re-election bid, Murkomen tells Raila

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator, Kipchumba Murkomen, has called on CORD leader Raila Odinga to support President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election bid in the 2017 General Election.

Speaking in his home county on Monday, Murkomen said that it is time that Odinga paved way for a new generation of leaders who would effect change in the country’s political landscape.

He quoted a local daily which claimed that Odinga was willing to support a different candidate in the next election, saying the pronouncement was welcome.

“I read on the Sunday Standard that Raila Odinga is ready to support a different candidate for the presidency, and we congratulate him for that,” he said.

“It is good to know that he (Raila) has deemed it necessary to hand over the baton to a younger generation of political leaders.”

The Senator however courted Raila’s support for Uhuru Kenyatta in the 2017 polls and William Ruto in 2022 as a way to ‘pay the debt’ owed to the two.

“Raila should not look far for a candidate to endorse in 2017. He should support President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election bid and complete the repayment of the debt by supporting Ruto in 2022,” he remarked.

The Jubilee Senator further urged ODM to dissolve its affiliate parties and form one party ahead of the next elections in a bid to unite the country.

“We need to change out style of politics from petty issues to development agenda. As Jubilee we have decided that our politics will be focused on unity and enclosure to ensure and not division,” he noted.

“I urge CORD to follow suit and desert the coalition model in favour of one party.”

Murkomen’s sentiments comes as debate rages on, within CORD, over who will be the coalition’s flag bearer. Both Raila (ODM) Moss Wetangula (Ford Kenya) and Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper) have expressed interest in the top job.

ODM Secretary General Agnes Zani, however, defended Raila calling on Murkomen to appreciate the coalition principal’s contributions to reforms  in the country. She said that it is through Raila’s sacrifices that most of the freedoms enjoyed in the country came into existence.

“Senator Murkomen is currently a member of the Joint Parliamentary Select Committee; a position he wouldn’t have held if it were not for Raila’s resilience in the push for the removal of IEBC commissioners which came through perseverance of teargas and insistence.”

Former Friends of Raila (FORA) chair Micah Kigen, however, faulted Jubilee for selective appointments saying the appointments made by Jubilee are not realistic.

“I have not seen any positives from Jubilee because even the appointments made are not beneficial to the society. The people who have apparently been appointed from Keiyo, come from diaspora and other parts of the country, even if their native home is Keiyo,” he said.

Kigen further faulted DP Ruto for pushing for one party saying the move is a resemblance to former President Daniel Moi’s style of governance.

“My humble plea to DP Ruto, if you want to be elected president in 2022, you should present yourself to the people and let them get to know you instead of forcing matters down their throats.”

@benjaminwafula