Raila Odinga urged to contest Homa Bay Senatorial seat

Some MPs aligned to ODM have come out to propose that Cord leader, Raila Odinga, should contest for the Homa Bay senator seat, which fell vacant following the death of his close ally Mr Otieno Kajwang’ two weeks ago.

According to Nyatike MP, Omondi Anyanga, who is one of the MPs who first initiated the idea, Raila is a national leader who understands the challenges facing Kenyans and should contest for the position as he is the only person who can fit into Kajwang’s shoes.

“The late Kajwang’ was an ardent supporter of the party and the person succeeding him should be a national leader who can fit into the footsteps of Kajwang,” Anyanga said, adding that Raila should be in the national assembly to entrench devolution, which he has always championed.

The other MPs who have also urged Raila to consider contesting the senatorial seat are Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay Town), James Rege (Rachuonyo), Johnson Naicca (Mumia West), Shakir Shabeer (Kisumu Town East) and Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda)

The legislators, through a press conference at Parliament Buildings, argued that Raila’s leadership is crucial in Parliament, citing the need to defend devolution which they said is the biggest gift Kenyans got from the Constitution.

“We the representatives of the people do hereby resolve to approach and petition the former PM to consider serving the people of this great country in the Senate, as a representative of the people of Homa Bay,” said Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma.

The MPs are also convinced that Raila’s comeback would be crucial in giving guidance and leadership to ODM and CORD.

Nicholas Gumbo maintained that by vying for the senatorial seat, the (former) Prime Minister will not be lowering his standing as such a move has been precedent in other countries where former PMs and presidents go on to serve in Parliament after they have left office.

IEBC had announced that the Homa Bay senatorial by-election will be held on February 2nd 2015.

Should Raila contest for the senator position?