Raila: Poll violence victims will get their land back
ODM leader Raila Odinga at the 58th Jamhuri Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.
Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga has pledged to help Kenyans recover land lost in post-election violence if he is elected the fifth President.
He promised that the era of internal displacements will also end.
"Those who were uprooted from their homes because of political violence will be returned to their original homes," he said.
He added: "I will not allow this country to have IDPs (internally displaced people) again because of political violence if I’m elected the fifth President of Kenya. Any Kenyan should be allowed to live anywhere within our boundaries."
He was speaking at the ACK Good Shepherd Cathedral in Nakuru City on Wednesday at a burial ceremony for former Nakuru mayor Joseck Thuo Ngeta.
He was with governors Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru), former Nakuru governor and State House comptroller Kinuthia Mbugua and Water Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki.
There was a light moment when Bishop Joseph Muchai said he would not allow politicians to use the pulpit to declare their political agenda ahead of the 2022 General election.
But when Mr Odinga was allowed to deliver his condolences to the family he announced that he was preaching his Azimio La Umoja and not politics.
Representing President Uhuru Kenyatta
"My Azimio La Umoja agenda is aimed at making sure all Kenyans irrespective of their tribes, colour and religious affiliations live in peace as one people of Kenya. That is my gospel and I will continue to preach it," he said.
Mr Odinga, who said he was representing President Uhuru Kenyatta at the ceremony, assured Kenyans that if he is elected in August no Kenyan will be harassed while doing business in any part of Kenya.
"Recently, I held a meeting with Kikuyu businessmen in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia and I assured them they will continue to work away from their ancestral home without any harassment, " he said.
"Kenyans should be able to live together and in unity anywhere. A Luo should be able to work in Nyeri and Kikuyu or any person should work anywhere and that is the Kenya agenda I am pushing."
In his condolence message, Mr Odinga said: "The value of a man is how he contributes to the fight against ignorance, poverty and disease, and the late Joseck Thuo made a compelling contribution."
In his message of condolence, read by Governor Kinyanjui, President Kenyatta said the late Thuo was a humble man who worked hard to serve residents of Nakuru.
"He was a nationalist. He was the founding father of Nakuru and laid a strong foundation despite Nakuru being a cosmopolitan town. He had unique qualities and was committed to his family. He will be remembered for the role he played," Mr Kenyatta said.
