Raila dismisses critics of CORD team 'US’ trip

 

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Mr Odinga who was briefing the press after his arrival at the Dallas-Fort worth airport (DFW) in Dallas, Texas said that the trip was necessary with the introduction of devolved system. 

By ANTONY KARANJA in DALLAS, TX
Posted  Sunday, July 28  2013 at  15:06

 

Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga has dismissed those questioning his trip to the US with several CORD governors as “living in the past.” 

Mr Odinga who was briefing the press after his arrival at the Dallas-Fort worth airport (DFW) in Dallas, Texas said that the trip was necessary with the introduction of devolved system of government and the CORD team wanted to learn from the experiences of those who are already running the system. 

“These people should be told that we now have 47 County governments,” he said. “They do not need any person from another government to run their affairs.” he added. 

He said that the only reason they are in the country was to learn and share experiences as the devolved system of government was uncharted territory. 

Mr Odinga is in the country accompanied by 8 CORD governors who include Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Salim Mvuria (Kwale), Cornel Rasanga (Siaya), David Nkendienye (Kajiado), Patrick Simiyu Khaemba (Trans Nzoia), Joseph Nanok (Turkana), Amason Kingi (Kilifi) and Kisii Governor James Ongwae. 

The team will be attending a a two day Bi-National Kenyan Governors Summit dubbed “Strategic Vision for Good Governance” which is being organized by the Network for Development of Youth in partnership with Summers Dodge International Group. The summit runs on July 27th and July 28th.

Responding to calls by government spokesman Muthui Kariuki asking him to return 6 cars belonging to the government, Mr Odinga accused the government of double standards saying that the government has not applying the same standards to the recently retired President Mwai Kibaki.

He said Kenyans were tired of the hypocrisy being displayed by the Jubilee government and they shall not be moved. 

Mr Odinga also hailed the landslide win by the newly elected Senator for Makueni, Mutula Kilonzo Jnr and thanked the people of Makueni for voting for the CORD candidate.

He said the win signified that the people of Makueni County are solidly behind the CORD alliance and did not get discouraged by Jubilee Alliance’ “tricks” in the run up to the by-election. 

“They tried every trick in their books to create obstacles and hindrances thinking that our candidates would feel harassed and intimidated,” he said.

“But as the voters of Makueni have shown, in an open and fair contest, CORD will always win hands down.” he added.