12 November 2007
Nairobi — The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) launched a rare attack on President Kibaki and his Party of National Unity (PNU), as they sought to dismantle the manifesto the President launched in Nairobi on Saturday.
The ODM Pentagon issued a choreographed attack in which it dismissed the manifesto as "an inadequate promise".
The ODM leaders reacted on a day that a PNU minister and former President Moi dismissed as insincere ODM's reported efforts to woo Muslims to their side.
Foreign Affairs minister Mr Raphael Tuju termed the move to woo Muslims as "insincere" while Moi cautioned religious leaders against being drawn into taking sides in the political field.
But it was the ODM Pentagon - led by presidential candidate Mr Raila Odinga, his running mate Mr Musalia Mudavadi and members Mr William Ruto and Mrs Charity Ngilu - that spared little effort in its attempt to dismantle the PNU manifesto.
The team, split in two, chose the Ford Kenya strongholds in Bungoma (Raila and Mudavadi) and Kakamega (Ruto and Ngilu) to launch their attack on the incumbent and his party.
"The manifesto does not talk of the Constitution he had promised Kenyans, and it is for a delegation system instead of devolution," said Raila at Kimilili.
The ODM presidential flagbearer said Kibaki should be voted out "for reneging on all the promises he gave to Kenyans in 2002".
"This manifesto contains nothing. It says nothing about the things Kenyans cherish most. It should be ignored as empty," said Raila.
Ruto and Ngilu, accompanied by veteran politician Mr Martin Shikuku, held rallies in Ikolomani, Shinyalu, Lurambi and Malava constituencies.
They said the manifesto did not adequately reflect the wishes of Kenyans and that Kibaki would not keep his word on the 10 pledges he made on Saturday.
Ruto said the President did not talk about giving Kenyans a new constitution and how he plans to fight tribalism and corruption.
"The manifesto does not mention things that the President has not done for Kenyans in the period he has served and that is why we want him out," he said.
Ngilu chimed in: "Why didn't he mention the constitution? It shows he (Kibaki) has forgotten what we wanted and that means he should not be given another five years".
During the launch of the manifesto, Kibaki declared that he would only make promises that are achievable. He said he would not shift position because of demands.
While speaking after opening a Fidelity Bank branch at Diani in the South Coast, Tuju said it was wrong for ODM to claim that it had the interests of Muslims at heart.
"Some of the opposition leaders have been in Parliament for a very long time. Some of the concerns for Muslims have been there (and they have done nothing about them). This is utter cheap populism to garner votes from the Muslim community," he said.
At the same time, former President Moi claimed that the ODM Pentagon was composed of leaders who were not independent minded.
Moi, who spoke at a church in Bomet, said: "Churches and religious leaders ought to be careful when making political pronouncements and entering into memorandum of understanding with politicians so as not to cause suspicions and splits in the country.
"These pacts have the potential of causing chaos in the country. They are a threat to the peace and tranquility we have enjoyed since independence".
Local Government minister Mr Musikari Kombo, who met his party's aspirants in Naivasha, ignored the attack on the manifesto by ODM and said PNU was strong and just waiting for elections.
"After the nominations, we shall hit the ground and President Kibaki's support will surely shoot up. Leave alone those who want to criticise us instead of building their own party. We are surging ahead, " he said.
Earlier, Raila and Mudavadi visited the homes of the late Luhya religious leader Elijah Masinde in Maeni village near Kimilili town and that of the late Vice-President Michael Wamalwa's mother near Kamukuywa market.
They said the visit to the two homes was meant to cement the unity between members of the Luhya and Luo communities, with the Masinde prophecy of Luhya leadership coming through Lake Victoria having gained prominence in the last few months.
At the late Masinde's home, Raila held a one-hour meeting with Bukusu elders led by Mzee Lukas Watta and pledged to help the family if ODM forms the next government.
At the home of the late Wamalwa's mother, Mama Esther Nekesa, Raila and Mudavadi made a 30-minute visit and pledged to clear all pending medical bills and complete a house under construction.
Raila criticised leaders from Bungoma, among them Cabinet ministers Mr Musikari Kombo and Dr Mukhisa Kituyi for neglecting the two families despite their great contribution towards the country's political and religious development.
"It is sad for the two families to wallow in poverty and the worst of all is that the late Wamalwa's mother cannot access medication. Why has the government abandoned the Wamalwa family?" posed Raila.
Mudavadi said their visit to the two homes showed ODM's respect for those who fought for freedom and those who struggled for the second liberation of the country.
"These two families were instrumental in the political and religious development of the country and cannot be wished away," said Mudavadi.
He added: "I am your son and a believer in Masinde's prophecy and that is why we are here today to let you know that the prophecy is about to be realised. It's important for the Luhya to come together."
Raila and Mudavadi later addressed various campaign rallies across the larger Bungoma.
Ngilu and Ruto, in their rallies, accused Ford-Kenya MPs of misleading Western Kenya voters, and warned them that Kibaki would give them a raw deal if re-elected.
In Malinya market in Ikolomani, Ngilu accused the President of not being trustworthy.
She said Kibaki had short-changed Kenyans and forgotten the people who helped him ascend to power.
"Kibaki is not sensitive and will not implement anything he says. He is not known to honour pledges," she added.
Ruto said Kenyans want a government that does not discriminate and treats people equally.
"Power will come to the common man and you will stop complaining and make contributions on how you want your money to be spent," he added.
Ruto said Kibaki failed to provide jobs for Kenyans as he had pledged in 2002.
"He promised Kenyans 500,000 jobs every year but he instead decided to employ a few old people in his government," Ruto said.
Shikuku said some regions in the country were giving the government too much revenue and getting little in return.
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