Narc Kenya party leader, Martha Karua, has called on Mount Kenya aspirants affiliated to Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party to be bold and openly campaign for former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga.
Speaking at a rally in Meru county on Thursday, June 16, Karua noted that there were aspirants who were not popularising the candidature of Raila despite the former Premier gaining momentum in the region.
She asked the aspirants to walk away from Azimio if they were unwilling to drum up support for their presidential candidate.
Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga and leaders from the Ukambani Region during a rally in Athi River on Sunday, June 12, 2022.
Raila Odinga “Some are telling the voters to vote for them and decide as they wish for the presidential vote. If you are such a person then you are not with us. If you are with us, make your stand public and if you are not with us, just walk away.
“We have bought fear and Azimio will not get votes in the polls. The citizens have not rejected us. It is the leaders who have become fearful,” she stated.
Karua asked the aspirants to emulate her and be bold in their campaigns despite being heckled by pro-United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party supporters.
Raila’s running mate explained that the voters were willing to listen to their messages adding that the politicians were afraid to campaign for the ODM party boss.
“Politicians don’t fear being heckled. When you address a crowd and they shout at you, talk to them nicely and explain that you are not interested in a shouting match. They will listen to you but don’t be intimidated.
“We have realised that it was not everyone who joined that group. It was just noise that made people follow them. People here are calm and they do not have any problems. I have come to ask you to become the ambassadors of Azimio,” she stated.
Further, she revealed that Azimio would settle on popular candidates in the region to battle it out with UDA candidates. Karua explained that sibling rivalry between party partners would hurt many aspirants and give an advantage to their opponents.
On his part, Meru governor, Kiraitu Murungi, stated that their presidential candidate was gaining milestones in the region expressing confidence in winning the August 9 polls.
“I used to mention Raila’s name and people would tell me that I risked losing votes. But now we are happy that Azimio is being accepted in the region. We know for sure that Raila will be the fifth president of Kenya,” he stated.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (left) and Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi at Maua Stadium on Thursday, March 10, 2022.
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