While declaring their stand, the Maa community representatives, have asked Raila Odinga to help them solve land issues that are affecting them if he wins the general elections come next year.
Raila Odinga was attending an edition yesterday at kajiado county. The edition was organized by the Maa community. It is during this edition that the declaration was made.
The Kajiado residents further asked the former prime minister to help in solving poverty, injustice, marginalisation and human conflict with wildlife that have persisted for a long time.
Narok, Samburu, Laikipia and Nakuru residents also aired their grievances to the former prime minister.
Senator Ledama Lekina of Narok County in his speech assured the former prime minister that they are ready to go to grassroots levels to campaign for him and help him Garner votes for next year’s general elections.
He is promising him full support in his bid for the presidency. We are sure to come next year Raila Odinga will become the president of the Republic of Kenya, he said.
After winning the election, promote the Maa community to be a part of the top leadership in the national government and boost the economy in our region, Ledama added.
In his statement, Raila Odinga said his main focus is finding long term solutions to all the problems that the country is currently facing. To be more specific drought, famine, floods and marginalisation issues and problems that the Maa and other pastoral communities are experiencing.
He added that no apologies are owed to anyone when it comes to preserving and protecting water catchment areas (forest) by evicting those who have encroached on the Mau forest. He has an interest in preserving and protecting the environment as this have a direct impact on pastoralists.
The 2010 constitution was passed so that government resources could be devolved and all the parts of the country can be developed without leaving behind some areas (marginalized regions).
On his mission to seek political support of the Masai community, Raila emphasized that land issues are a top priority in his administrative plans and also a transformation of rural areas. His administration will invest heavily in developing rural areas, he added.
To uplift the Maa community from poverty, there is a need to help them access markets for them to sell their livestock or livestock products. This will help to boost the economy in the long run.
It was on this occasion that the Masai leaders led by their spokesperson Joseph Ole Lenku, Governor Kajiado County, declared to backup Raila Odinga in his quest for the presidency in the coming general elections.
He added that Raila has been firm in supporting the Maa community by fighting for their rights. He further added that the Maa community will be voting as a block because they are tired of their votes being counted as swing votes. Our votes must be made relevant, he said.
In attendance was Kerako Tobiko Environmental Cabinet Secretary, Ole Kina Senator Narok County, Memusi Elijah Member of Parliament Kajiado Central, Francis Ole Kaparo former speaker of National Assembly among other key leaders of the maa community.
Kiriako Tobiko said that the Maasai’s will not support corrupt politicians come next year as their activities have contributed a lot to the marginalisation of their community.
He, therefore, as a public servant, will guide the community in making decisions about politics. He added that as a community they are endorsing Raila Odinga for the presidency. As a community we will partner with Raila, he said. Adding that Raila has won their trust.
