RAILA APIGA RUTO NYUNDO

Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga has rubbished UDA candidate William Ruto’s ‘empowerment’ of low-income earners through dishing out wheelbarrows.

Mr. Odinga while campaigning in Kericho on Sunday dismissed the strategy as ineffective in addressing poverty, saying his proposed government had the solutions for Kenyans’ problems should they vote them in on August 9.

Odinga who is vying for the nation’s highest office alongside his running mate Martha Karua promised that under their government, education will be free from primary to tertiary level.

“Kuanzia mwaka ujao watoto wetu wote kuanzia nursery, primary, secondary mpaka chuo kikuu, hakuna kulipa karo tena. Na wakimaliza masomo tunaweka mpango wapate ajira, kazi nzuri ambayo wanapata mishahara mizuri ili wajiinue kimaisha na wasaidie wazazi wao,” the Azimio leader told supporters.

“Hapana kazi ya kusukuma wheelbarrow! Mumekataa wheelbarrow?” he posed.

Dr. Ruto has been popularising UDA and the wheelbarrow in various forums and was on several occasions seen giving out wheelbarrows to “hustlers” youths at his official Karen residence and other parts of the country.

The farm appliance is even his party symbol on the ballot.

Mr. Odinga also reiterated his promise to support youth who wish to venture into businesses through a kitty from where they will be able to get loans and be allowed to repay after seven years.

“Kwa wale wanataka kuanzisha biashara zao wenyewe, tunaweka hazina mpya ambayo wanaweza kutoa pesa kuanzisha biashara zao na wasilipe chochote mpaka baada ya miaka saba,” he said.

Odinga and Ruto are in the August 9 race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta alongside Root Party leader Prof. George Wajackoyah and Agano Party’s David Mwaure.