Raila Pledges To Fortify Agriculture If Elected President

By Jane Muia,

ODM party leader Raila Odinga on Wednesday began his Azimio la Umoja campaigns in Molo town Nakuru county, where he pledged to unite Kenyans if elected as the 5^th president of the Republic of Kenya. Raila described Molo town as the new headquarters of the Azimio la Umoja movement.

“This is our first meeting. Molo will determine whether Azimio will succeed or not. The support seen here is promising as we walk with pride to Canaan with your blessings,’’ Raila said.

Raila said his agenda is to see a united, peaceful, and prosperous country as envisioned under the Azimio la Umoja. He promised Molo people peaceful places to live with regards to the evictions and displacements that Molo people face due to forest demolition and ethnic rivalry, especially during election periods.

“We are aware of the people displaced by violence and restoration of Mau Forest if elected our government shall ensure all persons have a place to live a dignified life,’’ Raila said.

The Azimio la Umoja boss stated that his administration will work in hand to strengthen the agriculture sector, by lowering the cost of farm inputs and construction of factories in agricultural zones to ensure farmers don’t run into losses as a result of spoilt produce. He added that he will implement a subsidy program for farmers which will see the price of fertilizer reduced from the current 6,000 shillings for a 50kg bag to 2,000  shillings.

This is an agricultural hub. In the past, Molo was a producer of pyrethrum, potatoes, and vegetables. We shall revive these sectors and subsidize inputs to make agriculture viable for our farmers,’’ he said.

Nakuru county governor Lee Kinyanjui lamented that the residents are going through deep struggles due to the collapse of the timber industry, which has subjected many to depression increasing suicide rates three times higher than the national average.

Governor Lee Kinyanjui said that he will back Raila in his 2022 presidential bid, where Odinga’s rally in Molo was among nine others scheduled for him over the next nine days where he is expected to travel across Rift Valley, Nyanza, Western, Eastern, Central, Northeastern and Nairobi till March 12.