Raila promises to boost North-Eastern region economy as UDM endorses him for presidency

Mr. Odinga, while attending the United Democratic Movement National Delegates Conference at the Bomas of Kenya on Thursday, said he will turn the region into a global livestock market by investing in meat factories.

At the UDM NDC where he was endorsed as their presidential candidate, Odinga vowed his government would invest heavily in promoting breeds of livestock, combating drought and buying their produce (milk and meat) to revamp the stunted economy.

"Pastoralism is very important and if you look at Botswana they had depended on livestock for a very long time and their economy was at a good state. It was one of the most successful economies in the African continent," he said.

"We shall improvise the systems in Botswana for our livestock sector to thrive. People who have thousands of livestock should not be poor. we will build slaughter houses and create ways to export them into other countries."

The ODM leader further highlighted the key problems affecting the residents in the region such as drought, floods and poverty saying that if elected president, he would prioritise changing the narrative of recurrent problems in the country.

"Mambo ya maji ni muhimu sana na kule Wajir kuna shida ya maji. Tutaweka pump ya maji kutoka mto Tana tunapeleka mpaka kule wajir na wanapata maji ya kutosha," said Raila.

The former Premier reiterated that devolution is a vital part of the Constitution and that the region can function effectively as a devolved state to enhance development to residents in the region.

"Tulipokuwa tunapigania mambo ya ugatuzi walikuwa wanapinga lakini ugatuzi ume revolutionize ugatuzi katika taifa letu... tuboreshe ugatuzi, tulete pesa nyingi hapa mashinani ili wananchi waweze kuhisi maendeleo kule ambako wanaishi na hiyo itasaidia kaunti zetu zote katika maendeleo," he said.

"Mimi nikishika hatamu ya uongozi mtaona kwamba ugatuzi utaboreshwa," added Mr. Odinga.

The party led by Mandera Governor Ali Roba in their National Delegation Convention (NDC) resolved unanimously to propel Odinga to Statehouse come August 9.

“UDM national delegates conference endorses Raila Odinga as the presidential candidate for the party in the 2022 General elections," read the party lawyer Issa Mansur.

Odinga was flanked by leaders affiliated to the Azimio la Umoja outfit including Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muritthi, Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu.