Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kihiga has defended himself against criticism for reprimanding Raila on his campaign strategy at a public rally in Nyeri County.
While on an interview on a local TV station on Sunday, November 28, Kahiga explained that his sentiments on the ODM party leader's history narration were not a lecture but an expression of the opinion of residents of Nyeri.
He went ahead to state that his sentiments were blown out of proportion and should have been taken in as a piece of advice for future campaigns.
"Where Raila Odinga is concerned, I was not lecturing him and I have no mandate to lecture him. I was merely expressing the aspirations of the people of Nyeri. That was just the beginning of his tour. We were just opening up on matters that would interest the people of Nyeri," the governor clarified.
Additionally, Kahiga explained that Raila was making inroads in the vote-rich region and it would be better if the ODM leader explained his agenda and manifesto rather than narrating his political history.
"The two days we have spent with Raila, have been an eye-opener to a majority of people of Nyeri. They had never seen him or heard him. They have now realised who he is in a better way,"
"But there are those who wish to package him historically and it is not a good place to dwell in because we are not walking into history. History is a good subject to study but a terrible house to dwell in," he explained.
During his address at the Friday rally, the governor further urged the ODM party leader to woo Mt Kenya voters by declaring the percentage the region would get in the event that the former Prime Minister is elected president.
Consequently, Kahiga echoed his sentiments stating that presidential candidates will have to pick a running mate from the region if they intend to get votes from the region.
"The only thing I know that moves Mt Kenya is when they have one of their own and they rally behind that individual. Unless one clearly demonstrates they are capable of taking care of their interests then the votes will come,
"The DP position in this country is toothless, they do not deliver much for communities. We need to negotiate as Mt Kenya on a package, not on a single position and it is important to say that equity is key in this country," he echoed.
Kahiga was responding after facing criticism from Raila and other leaders who accompanied the ODM leader. They explained that history was important and would help in enlightening voters.
"It is important to know where we have come from so as to have a better focus of where we are going. We do not want to make mistakes and that is why President Uhuru Kenyatta and I united so as to build Kenya," Raila explained at the time.
