Prime Minister Raila Odinga addresses a crowd at a matatu stage in Nyeri Town as he campaigned for his presidential bid on January 10, 2013. Photo/JOSEPH KANYI NATION MEDIA GROUP
By PATRICK NZIOKA pnzioka@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Thursday, January 10 2013 at 21:30
Posted Thursday, January 10 2013 at 21:30
Cord presidential aspirant Raila Odinga has assured central Kenya residents that his government would provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
The Prime Minister dismissed claims he would be a threat to businesses owned by people from the region.
Mr Odinga said in an address to traders at the Greenhills Hotel in Nyeri on Thursday, that he understood the need for a good business climate because he was also a businessman.
“Claims that Raila will destroy businesses owned by the Kikuyu is rubbish. I am a businessman and I understand what it means to build a business,” he said.
Mr Odinga termed the differences between his father Jaramogi Oginga and founding President Jomo Kenyatta and those between him and President Kibaki as ideological and not personal.
He termed devolved units as a safeguard against marginalisation, saying counties were entitled to a certain percentage of development funds from the central government.
Mr Odinga, who toured the region at the invitation of the business community, said the county represented the aspirations of central Kenya residents after Kiambu and Thika areas were taken over by the culture of gated estates.
He termed the county as the “Canaan of Kenya”, saying it had enormous potential that his government would exploit to improve living standards in the country.
He cited value addition in agriculture, exploration of minerals, tourism, infrastructure development and skills development as some of the issues he would pursue to create wealth.
The Prime Minister said his government would create a heroes’ square where the remains of freedom fighters, including Dedan Kimathi’s, would be buried.
He said he was hopeful that the UK Government would compensate freedom fighters and their families for the atrocities visited on them by the colonial government during the Mau Mau insurrection following the filing of a case in London.
He said he had received a written undertaking from the British Prime Minister through a special envoy that the UK government was willing to discuss the matter with the Mau Mau veterans at an opportune time.
The Prime Minister later addressed ODM delegates at the Catholic Hall.
He also had lunch at the home of veteran politician Waruru Kanja.
Mr Odinga termed the coming elections as the dawn of a new era in which Kenyans would fully enjoy the benefits of the Constitution if they elected Cord.
He cautioned Kenyans against electing those who opposed the enactment of the new laws.
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