Raila Odinga pushes for 'six-piece' voting in his backyard

ODM leader Raila Odinga has asked his supporters to adopt a six-piece voting pattern in next year's general election so as to give the party an upper hand in the Senate and in the National Assembly.

Mr Odinga also said the party risks losing political parties fund in the event of smaller parties winning seats in the forthcoming polls.

“I want you to understand that anyone who wants to be part of us must don our uniform,” Mr Odinga said on Friday while presiding over the Kisumu City Christmas street festival which was organised by the county government.

Mr Odinga also said the party is ready to enter into a coalition agreement with other parties under the yet to be formalised Azimio la Umoja Movement.

“The movement will bring together a number of like-minded parties which will have to agree with the principles and polices of Azimio la Umoja,” he told hundreds of his supporters who braved the chilly weather to attend the event at KCB roundabout.

Mr Odinga underscored the need for potential aspirants to agree on the mode of nomination in ODM strongholds in order to avert acrimonious party primaries and forge a formidable outfit against their opponents.

“This will help me have a strong team in Parliament and give me an easy time in establishing my cabinet when I take over power,” he said.

At the same time, he accused Deputy President William Ruto of using proceeds from corruption to hoodwink Kenyans into supporting him.

“It is unfortunate that this is the man who has been going around quoting Bible verses and pretending to be more Christian than the clergy, while referring me as a witchdoctor. He should tell Kenyans how he is managing to preside over fundraisers and give donations of more than Sh100 million per month with a salary of Sh2 million only,” he said.

Mr Odinga also reiterated his commitment to fulfilling his pledge of providing a Sh6,000 monthly stipends to needy households.

“I was the Prime Minister of this country for more than five years and I know where there is money. The social protection fund will be a reality when you give me the job,” he said.

He urged his supporters to be prepared for a second mass voter registration exercise to be announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

“You kept asking me to declare my candidature and now I have officially made the declaration. You must all get your shield and spear to enable me to have strong position against my opponents,” he said.

Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o also appealed to the residents of the county to register as voters in large numbers to make Mr Odinga’s presidential bid a reality.

The event was attended by Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo, Kisumu Central MP Fred Ouda, Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabir and a host of local leaders and political aspirants.

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