Raila promises to reclaim grabbed Maa community land as he woos Narok voters

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has vowed to settle the long-contested Mau land issues if he clinches the presidential seat come August this year.

Odinga, while speaking at Ololulunga in Narok County on Saturday, highlighted the troubles which have long put the residents at logger-heads with the government including grabbed land, deforestation and misappropriation of rates incurred from the Maasai Mara National Park.

“Hii pesa ambayo watalii wanatoa, inatoka Nairobi inapitia kwa watu watatu inapotea; si mnajua shamba ya Murumbi imeenda? Si hao wote mnawajua? Hiyo yote itarudi,” Odinga said.

The former premier, while recounting the historical struggle of the Maa community for their land, urged residents to acknowledge the efforts of their past leaders, citing the likes of the late William Ole Ntimama.

He acknowledged the late Ole Ntimama’s efforts in the fight against land grabbers and deforestation of the Mau Forest.

“Hapa ndio tulianza viata ya Mau; Niliuliza Ole Ntimama kama ataniunga mkono akasema ‘wewe kijana tembea mimi niko nyuma yako.’ Ole Ntimama alikua shujaa kabisa, Maasai kamili. Alisema yuko tayari kujiuzulu kama Mau haitahifadhiwa,” Odinga stated.

Odinga addressed farming challenges affecting pastoralists and farmers in the region pointing out increased fertilizer prices, low costs of animal products such as milk and encroachment of the land used for pastures.

“Mambo ya ukulima hapa kwenu na bei ya mbolea mkasema ni juu sana, imefika elfu sita. Tutapunguza chini ya lfu tatu. Ni mpaka wale wanauza maziwa tutahakikisha wamepata haki yao,” he said.

At the same time, Odinga sold his ten-point agenda under his Azimio la Umoja umbrella which he said was the solution to pre-colonial challenges affecting the country.

In reference to the social protection fund, Odinga revealed that insufficient water, pastures and adverse climatic conditions which serve as a key cause of poverty would be addressed by his program of the Ksh.6,000 monthly stipend to ensure no family lacks basic needs.

“Saa zingine unapata kwamba mvua imekosekana, chakula hakuna, mimea imenyauka na watoto wanalala njaa. Kule nchi za nje kuna kitu inaitwa social protection fund. Hiyo itahakikisha kila jamii inapata pesa kila mwisho wa mwezi,” Odinga explained.

Consequently, Odinga unveiled all contestants vying for the Narok gubernatorial seat under Azimio la Umoja.

He assured that he would have a sit down with the aspirants to settle on just one who would carry the flag and represent the interests of all.