President Uhuru and Raila head to the Coast
Opposition leader Raila Odinga on January 14, 2016 at the Serena Hotel. President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader are heading to the Coast as the battle for the region’s votes intensifies. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE |
What you need to know:
- After his Taita-Taveta tour, Mr Odinga will go to Kwale County where he will be expected to address the LSK conference on August 19.
- President Kenyatta is also expected to open the renovated Kongowea Market and meet leaders from the Coast.
- Some Taveta-Taveta MCAs have complained of being kept in the dark about Mr Odinga’s visit.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila are heading to the Coast as the battle for the region’s votes intensifies.
Mr Odinga starts his tour in Taita-Taveta County on Wednesday ahead of the President’s visit to Mombasa on Thursday to open a Law Society of Kenya conference.
After his Taita-Taveta tour, Mr Odinga will go to Kwale County where he will be expected to address the LSK conference on August 19.
The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy leader will then meet leaders from Kilifi and Tana River counties.
President Kenyatta is also expected to open the renovated Kongowea Market and meet leaders from the Coast.
Some Taveta-Taveta MCAs have complained of being kept in the dark about Mr Odinga’s visit.
Through Assembly Majority Leader Cromwel Baridi, they said they were not consulted by branch officials and threatened to boycott the meeting “if our grievances are not addressed”.
“It is surprising that Governor (John Mruttu) and other leaders have left us out. It is not the first time,” he said.
While concluding his tour of the region, former ODM Secretary-General Ababu Namwamba said leaders from Coast and Western would have themselves to blame if they were voted out in next year’s election.
REVOLUTION IN THE MAKING
Speaking to more than 20 leaders from Western Kenya living at the Coast on Monday evening, he said a revolution was in the making and it would bring major changes.
The divisions among Taita-Taveta MCAs over Cord leader’s visit emerged after Mr Mruttu led a delegation to Mr Odinga’s Capitol Hill office, Nairobi last week.
Those at the meeting were Joyce Lay (Woman Rep), Mr Jones Mlolwa (Voi) Mr Andrew Mwadime (Mwatate) and Mr Thomas Mwadeghu (Wundanyi).
Speaking on phone from Malindi of official National Assembly assignment, Mr Mwadime explained that the party leader was only visiting Taveta en route to the Law Society of Kenya’s conference.
“These sideshows is just looking for attention and political relevance,” he said.
But the Taita Taveta Assembly’s deputy speaker Chrispus Tondoo said the MCAs will deliberate on the issue before resolving on whether to attend the Wednesday rally or not.
