Don't Vacate From Your Homes, Raila Tells NASA Supporters

National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga has called on his supporters not to vacate their homes and remain where they registered as voters, so that they can exercise their right to vote in the upcoming polls.

The former Prime Minister’s sentiments come after reports that some Kenyans were relocating to their rural homes for fear of election violence and chaos during the August 8 polls

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader further said that he was ready to concede defeat in the August 8 polls should he lose fairly, dismissing claims by President Uhuru Kenyatta that he was planning to reject polls outcome.

Speaking during a campaign trail in Nairobi’s Eastlands area on Friday, Raila called on his supporters in the City not to panic and relocate their families’ upcountry ahead of the next month’s polls, arguing that the move would deny the opposition a chance to oust President Uhuru Kenyatta from power, given that Nairobi was a key voter basket for NASA.

In recent weeks, mass movement of residents, mostly those living in informal settlements has been reported due to rising ethnic tensions as some communities arm themselves in case of poll violence.

“We don’t want you to fall into the tricks that there will be violence and ferry your families’ upcountry. We have heard that men are planning to stay in Nairobi and take their families to their rural homes,” Kalonzo said.

“This should not be allowed to happen for those registered in Nairobi. You must stay here with your families to vote,” Raila said.

The NASA leaders further assured their supporters that this time round, their votes will not be stolen like in the past.

“Our agents shall be marking the register and conducting a roll-call to establish who has not voted after every two hours so that they are mobilized from wherever they are. Even those in hospitals here in Nairobi, Governor (Evans) Kidero will provide an ambulance to get them from hospital bed to vote and then back,” Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero said.