Samuel Otieno
21 January 2008
Nairobi — ODM leader, Mr Raila Odinga, says the party will overcome injustices it has encountered, no matter how long it takes.
The Lang'ata MP said the post-election turmoil was only a temptation. He urged his supporters not to despair in their quest for justice.
But he reiterated that the party was ready to embrace dialogue "even with a thief" if that is what it would take for peace to prevail.
"We want to see a united country and we have to embrace dialogue If they (Government) succeed, it will mark the end of democracy and it will be meaningless to vote. Kenyans have urged me not to retreat, but stand firm," he added.
Speaking on Sunday at the Anglican Church Holy Trinity Parish in Kibera, Raila reiterated that ODM would not sit in the committee constituted by President Kibaki for dialogue.
He equated ODM struggle to the biblical Job, who persevered and eventually saw the hand of God.
Raila said although the Church had an obligation to stand against injustices, a section of it had taken sides.
"It is hypocritical to see some Church leaders siding with the people who have snatched democracy away from the citizens hence the cause of trouble," Raila said.
However, Raila urged ODM supporters not to confront people of particular communities and those who did not vote for him, saying they were not the enemy.
He said the enemy was Kibaki and a clique, and that ethnic confrontations would give the ODM struggle a bad face.
He added: "The war is between us and Kibaki plus his friends."
He told his supporters to desist from burning churches, schools and houses.
Addressing Kibera residents outside the church, Raila told them to continue with the struggle.
"I want to see a brave face. Wamepiga mwili lakini hawatagusa roho (They have battered the body, but they will not harm the soul). I thank you for standing firm," he said.
He praised his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, for leading the fight for democracy, peace and justice.
"Jaramogi believed that without justice, there would be no peace, unity and development," Raila said.
Yesterday was Jaramogi's 14th death anniversary.
While displaying spent bullet cartridges, Raila condemned the police for killing demonstrators.
He said it was unfair for the Government to force people to accept a flawed election.
His wife, Ida, elder brother and Bondo MP, Dr Oburu Odinga, and other ODM leaders attended the service.
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