Kalonzo: As president, I will fight graft and grow economy

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has told Kenyans living in the United States that he will fight corruption and expand the economy if elected president.

Addressing Kenyans in Boston, Mr Musyoka said the next government will tap into those in the Diaspora to help grow the economy through remittances currently topping 1 billion USD (Sh84 billion)

"You work hard to remit billions of shillings home, it is important now that the next government which I hope to lead will tap your ideas, creativity and innovation to propel the country forward”, Mr Musyoka told hundreds of Kenyans gathered at the Boston Marriott Hotel at the start of his tour that will also take him to Texas, Atlanta, Minneapolis and Washington DC.

The VP praised Kenyans abroad saying they have been at the forefront in the agitation for more civil liberties in the country, which have now been realized through the enactment of a new Constitution.

“We know and acknowledge our past – the good and the bad. We seek leadership so as to correct mistakes of the past and build on the successes," he said.

The VP told the Kenyans that key institutions, critical to the implementation of the Constitution have been established, paving the way for entrenchment of the new dispensation.

He said for economic prosperity to take root and in order for the country to take advantage of the benefits of regional integration, peace and tranquillity must prevail in East and horn of Africa region.

"We are therefore concerned at what is happening between North and South Sudan and urge them to give peace a chance in order to safeguard the comprehensive peace agreement, (CPA)," he said.

Mr Musyoka said he was passionate about national healing, reconciliation and integration because the country cannot develop if negative ethnicity was allowed to thrive.

“I have worked for peace in other countries and doing so at home is now my personal mission”, Mr Musyoka said.

Various members of the audience engaged the VP in an extensive question and answer session that expressed the high expectations of the Diaspora in the new Kenya.

“We are now ready to work hand in hand with our brothers and sisters back home and we hope that the leadership will create an enabling environment for business to thrive," said Joseph Odhiambo, a Kenyan businessman living in Boston.

Mr Musyoka is accompanied by Maragua MP Elias Mbau, Kamukunji's Yusuf Hassan and Philip Kaloki (Kibwezi).

The VP was also accompanied by Kenya’s Ambassador to the US Elkana Odembo.