WERA- Wowen Elite for Raila

I am beginning to get convinced that Kenyans are effectively tackling the issue of ethnicity head on.

Yesterday, a group of young women, from across Kenya, ably led by Stella Muriithi and Mary Gorretti Ng'ondwe, assembled a cast of Kenyans across the board in support of Hon Raila Odinga to become the next president of Kenya.

The occasion meant to honour what Raila has done in the struggle, was held late in the evening at Grand Regency Hotel. Guests came from all over Kenya, from Turkana South to Kilifi. From Bondo to Mukurweini, from Kisii to Baringo Central, to Mwingi. And from Komarock Nairobi.

This was a Kenyan affair, and those Kenyans said in one voice; vote for Raila to enable you get the change that we need as Kenyans.

There was on of our 'export products' to Norway, who came all the way to root for Raila, and she was introduced to the audience by the indefatigable Mumbi Ngaru. This showed that Raila has transcended tribal barriers, and those ODM-K presidential candidates who want to barricade him as a Luo are doomed to fail.

The time has come for Kenyans to ask themselves, what is it that we want in leadership? Is it just a mere change of guard at State House, or do we want to create one Kenya devoid of tribalism, corruption, and ethnic chauvinisms?

If we look at all these people mascaurading for the ODM-K presidential ticket, what strikes out as common in most of them? Is it their history of having been loyalists and agents of the status quo politics to the hilt or have they stood out for Kenyans against state oppression and state induced insecurity?

It is time Kenyans took back Kenya. The only way we can do this is by identifying with the right forces of change. And like the lady from Thika, Gathoni, I am not ashamed to say that I support Hon Raila Amolo Odinga. He is the change that Kenyans want.

It is a shame to have a presidential candidate who looks at his competitor from the narrow prisms of ethnicity.

To this end, I want to congratulate Stella and Mary Gorretti as they marshal all the women, not just women elite, in support of the change that we all need.

Odhiambo T Oketch
Secretary; ODM-K Embakasi Constituency