Orange Democratic Movement Leader Raila Odinga has denied claims that he has neglected the western region after his handshake with president Uhuru Kenyatta.
This follows claims that Odinga has ignored the region in development deals that have been secured through the handshake.
Raila defended himself saying that he is not in the government but joined the handshake only to save Kenya from disunity.
“The handshake is not for Raila or for the people of Nyanza, Those saying that Raila has forgotten about Western Kenya after the handshake are spreading propaganda,” Raila said.
Raila spoke while at Bungoma. He attended the funeral of Margaret Nandalwe, mother to Moses Nandalwe who is the personal assistant to Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana.
The former prime minister said that he would revive the stalled factories and initiate major infrastructure development projects.
A section of leaders had also claimed that Raila had lost popularity in the Western region following the friction with One Kenya Alliance leaders.
Addressing that, Raila ignored the rumors saying that most of the people in the region especially the youth are in support of his 2022 presidential bid.
Raila was accompanied by COTU leader Francis Atwoli, Kakamega County Governor Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya among other leaders who toured parts of the region.
On his side, Oparanya urged the locals to unite ahead of the general elections.
“This is our only chance. If we do not unite ahead of next year’s general elections then we will lack a voice as a community in terms of development and politics,” Oparanya said.
Atwoli also addressed the crowd while saying that he will be releasing a list of those who will claim leadership positions in the coming general elections before the year ends.
“When the time comes, I will tell you who to vote for as MPs, even governors because I know of people who are masquerading here with bad intentions,” Atwoli said.
RELATED STORY: Why Ruto Man Believes Raila Will Be Taken To ICC In 2022
