Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Thursday, February 27, continued with his consultative tour in Nyanza Region as he sought to gather public input on his party’s next move.
During the consultative forum held in Migori County, Raila met with youth leaders, elders, the business community, and stakeholders to gather insights on the challenges affecting Kenyans.
Addressing the gathering, the former Azimio leader expressed his disappointment in the government’s failure to address the challenges in the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Odinga revealed that the current health insurance scheme introduced by President William Ruto’s administration last year left thousands of Kenyans unable to access medical attention.
The former Prime Minister further urged the government to address the challenges in SHA by reviewing the system hitches to ensure seamless access to health services.
Nonetheless, Odinga reiterated his desire to formalise the broad-based government with President Ruto but only if the government was willing to resolve the grievances raised by Kenyans.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader emphasised that he would present the people’s grievances to Ruto once he concludes his consultative tour across the country.
“I have listened carefully to the opinions that have been expressed here, and I can say these people have given me a blank cheque, I can write any amount in it,” Odinga commented.
“They have said they have faith in what we are going to do and they will support what we want to do, we are not going to betray our people, what we do must be what is done in the best interest of Kenyans,” he added.
Odinga's comments come a day after he commenced his consultative tour in Nyanza region where he made his first stop in Kisumu County. During the consultative forum in Kisumu, Odinga met youth leaders from the eight sub-counties and Kisumu County ODM officials.
The Kisumu meeting followed shortly after Odinga met President Ruto at State House in Mombasa where the two leaders discussed several issues of national importance.
Speaking moments after meeting Ruto, Raila said he would soon meet his supporters to consult on his next move. He went ahead to thank Ruto for the support in his African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson bid.
