Mr Kamotho

Speaking a day after he was roped into President Kibaki’s national re-election campaign, the combative Mathioya MP said he was in familiar waters when it came to campaigning against Mr Odinga.

“I know Raila far too well,” he told a PNU rally at Kiria-ini market in his Mathioya constituency. “If for all these years he has never won my wars, I do not think he is just about to win one this time round.” 

Mr Kamotho, who was Kanu secretary-general for 13 years was replaced by Mr Odinga after the latter’s National Democratic Party merged with Kanu. 

But late in 2002, Mr Odinga fell out with then President Moi and led a group of leaders, including Mr Kamotho, in ditching Kanu for the Liberal Democratic Party, which later joined hands with the National Alliance Party of Kenya (NAK) to support President Kibaki in the 2002 General Election.

Campaign for President

At the weekend, Mr Kamotho joined the team led by Kanu chairman Uhuru Kenyatta to campaign for President Kibaki in upper Eastern and North Eastern provinces among other areas.

The team is set to embark on its vote hunting mission today in Marsabit and Moyale districts before moving on to Garissa in North Eastern.

On Saturday, Mr Kamotho told Kenyans not to be swayed by propaganda.

He was supported by Kitutu Chache MP Jimmy Angwenyi, who told the Kiria-ini rally that the clamour for majimbo was meant to snatch wealth from hard-working communities and give it to “those who do not want to sweat”.

He also said the ODM presidential candidate should explain what he meant by saying that he was a social democrat.

Finance assistant minister Peter Kenneth proposed that all tea and coffee factories be closed on polling day while shops and social places should only be opened after owners prove they have voted.

He also dismissed those calling for renewal of Mr Samuel Kivuitu’s term as ECK chairman. Mr Kivuitu’s term ends on December 2.

ODM and ODM-K have been calling for Mr Kivuitu’s term to be extended to ensure a level playing field in the next election.

And in Meru, PNU leaders challenged Mr Odinga to tell Kenyans his religion.

They said the country needed a president who could assure Kenyans of continued freedom of worship.

“We all know that President Kibaki is a Catholic and Kalonzo Musyoka is a follower of the Baptist Church, but can Raila tell Kenyans which religion he belongs to or even his baptism name?” said Trade assistant minister Petkay Miriti at a rally at Muthaara market in Tigania East.