President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga at Uzima University in Kisumu on June 29, 2015. Raila has defended the Oginga and Kenyatta families from perceptions that they have held Kenya's politics hostage since independence. [Photo: nation.co.ke]National Super Alliance (Nasa) presidential candidate Raila Odinga has dismissed the perception that the Kenyatta and Oginga families have held Kenyan politics 'hostage' since independence.The perceptions, the moderator said, have seen one family moving with a sense of entitlement in terms of leadership and another with a sense of victim-hood. Entitlement for Kenyatta family and victim-hood on the Oginga family.However, Raila said that such perceptions are 'misconceived'  and have no bearing at all. "First, Jomo Kenyatta was a freedom fighter and he was imprisoned by the colonialists for 9 years. Jaramogi, on the other hand, became a freedom fighter and fought for the release of Kenyatta. When Kenyatta was released he became the President and Jaramogi became Vice President. They earned those positions by the virtue that they sacrificed for the freedom of this country. So, it was not like entitlement," said Raila on Monday during the presidential debate held at the Catholic University of East Africa.Raila stated that he entered politics on his own and out of his own conviction, but not on his father's invitation. He went on to explain how he was involved in the second liberation which resulted in his political detention for a long time."I am not, therefore, in politics because Jaramogi invited me. I have been in politics alone because I want to do what is right for this country. As you know, I have also been in political detention for a long time. Actually, when you see my eyes watery, it is because of damages that I suffered while on detention I have continued with this because I represent the force for change in Kenya," he added.Raila also defended President Uhuru Kenyatta says he was also not introduced to politics by his father.He said Uhuru was brought to politics by former President Daniel Arap Moi who picked him as his preferred heir when he was quitting politics."So, Uhuru came as a result of an invitation from his mentor Moi. He is not here because his father brought him on the stage. It would, therefore, be very unfair to infer that the two families have held this country hostage," asserted Raila.

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