Prime Minister Raila Odinga has distanced himself from allegations that he was instrumental in taking   post election violence suspects to The Hague to remove political competition   in the Presidential race.

Noting it was mischievous for anyone to claim that he took anyone to the Hague to eliminate competition in the Presidential race, Mr. Odinga said he would not apply such unorthodox means  to ascend to the country’s leadership.

He said, “ Am not vindictive  to take people to the Hague, those spreading this propaganda were the same ones shouting don’t be vague say Hague in relation with how the post elections suspects could be tried.”

Addressing the charged crowds, Mr. Odinga said the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) would spare no effort to emerge the winner and avoid being held hostage when the party forms the next government.

He maintained that the party was determined to win majority seats in the Senate, in Parliament and in the county governments and form a strong government that cannot not be blackmailed  by people from other parties.

Speaking at various centres on his way to address ODM delegates at Kibabii teachers college, Mr. Odinga at the same time asked people from  other political parties not to interfere with the internal affairs of the ODM.

Likening political parties to different religious organizations, the PM stated that  it was not possible for one church to take their doctrines  to another church. “Similarly, other parties should not interfere with the running of our party and in particular the forthcoming party Presidential nominations,” he added.

He reiterated that ODM was not under threat of splitting because of  deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi’s bid  to be nominated as party  Presidential flag bearer in the general elections.

Emphasizing that  the party was rock steady, Mr. Odinga  said  Musalia  is exercising his democratic rights  and should not be vilified  for his candidature, for he has done nothing wrong. “ Indeed Musalia and I are inseparable  and those hoping to reap from an alleged expected fall out between me and him  will be greatly disappointed.”

He said the fact that the competitors are uniting  to field one Presidential  candidate against one from ODM , signifies  that  it is the party  to beat in the elections.

Mr. Odinga cautioned ODM members to be wary of propaganda by  competitors aimed at rocking the party, adding  they should remain resolute in helping the party to victory when elections are called.

He said unlike in the 2007 elections  when ODM was forced to share government with PNU,  this time round ODM was determined to take charge of the government in order to implement  its development programmes as espoused in party manifesto.

Noting that ODM was a party for change, Mr. Odinga  said  it was keen on changing all the bad policies  that have made the country  drag behind in development.

He said policies that have polarized the country along tribal lines are the cause of the backwardness in the country. “ Tribalism have consigned this country to poverty and must be overhauled,”

During the tour of Bongoma town, Mr. Odinga opened ODM party offices in the town and  laid a foundation stone to  an administration block  and three tuition blocks at Mupeli D.E.B. primary school to be built at a cost of  70 million with assistance from  Germany government.

The school which is built in a slum area of Bungoma town is expected to enroll some 1000 children  in the area when completed in August.

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