Cord leader Raila Odinga. Photo/rao.co.ke
Opposition leader Raila Odinga has finally stated reasons that made Rift Valley massively vote for Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto in the 2013 general elections.
Dismissing claims that the vote rich region fear voting him this year, Standard reports, the former Prime Minister said the narrative that Rift Valley and Central Kenya voters fear him is a creation of the NIS and that it does not make sense.
Odinga said Rift Valley electorates had voted for him before recounting the overwhelming support he gained in the 2007 poll that was later disputed.
He claimed that the region backed UhuRuto crew in 2013 “probably because they felt they had better stakes there because William Ruto was getting the DP position.”
The ODM party leader refuted reports that Rift Valley voters feared him.
According to Odinga, the Rift region was better off under his leadership as Prime Minister. He said that he addressed the concerns of Rift Valley people especially with regard to livelihoods.
He cited agriculture as his key area of interest for the good of Rift Valley people when he was in office as Prime Minister. “I protected the interests of tea, wheat, maize and dairy farmers,” he explained.