I'm not joining Uhuru party, says Kenneth

Presidential aspirant Peter Kenneth has denied reports that he is headed to Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta's The National Alliance (TNA).

Instead, Mr Kenneth said he was concentrating on launching his presidential campaign towards the end of November.

He announced he will tour Kisii and Nyamira counties in mid-October before heading to Kwale, West Pokot, Nyeri, Narok and Busia counties as s prelude to his presidential launch.

“I have not held any discussions with anyone regarding any position as insinuated by way of propaganda. The choice of Kenya’s next leadership is one for Kenyans to make; a fact which no amount of orchestrated propaganda can change.

"Let those who claim democracies accept that democracy is a game of competition and be ready to face me in the presidential debate,” Mr Kenneth said.

Reacting to a story that appeared in the Saturday Nation, Mr Kenneth said he had never aspired to be a tribal or regional leader “because Kenya needs a national leadership that will deal with Kenyan issues head on".

“I am a believer that name, fame and euphoria is not a prerequisite for good leadership in our country,” Mr Kenneth who hopes to vie for the presidency on a Kenya National Congress ticket said in Nairobi.

Issue oriented campaign

The Gatanga MP said his campaign is issue oriented adding that leaders ought to educate Kenyans not to vote with emotions and to reason out a criteria that will provide Kenya with leadership that will resolve it problems.

“Those who are quick to name a propaganda agenda purporting to offer me certain positions must realise I stand firm. I was the first MP on July 3, 2011 to declare that I will not seek elective position as MP, governor or senator,” Mr Kenneth said.

He told his opponents to state why his presidential candidature had caused panic “leading them to purport to offer me positions".

Mr Kenneth said KNC leaders were concentrating on ensuring the party and any other like-minded ones will form the next government.

The Planning and National Development assistant minister said the recent wave arising from by elections has no dynamics in the general elections.

“As we saw it two years ago when Narc-Kenya also won two seats the euphoria died after a couple of weeks,” Mr Kenneth said.

Mr Kenneth urged Kenyans to raise their voices against any incitement to violence by politicians.

“Memories of the destructive violence we experienced in 2007/08 are yet to fade as Kenyans continue to live in IDP camps,” he said in a statement.

He regretted that as Kenyans prepare for the elections, they have experienced a wave of violence in Tana River, Mombasa, Wajir and Mandera Counties, which have been attributed to political incitement.

"We can't afford to let Kenya burn again,” he said.

Mr Kenneth said that he had signed the 'I am Kenyan' pledge committing him to conducting a peaceful election campaign.

“I am encouraged by and proud of many individuals and organisations who have taken it upon themselves to promote peaceful coexistence before, during and after the elections.”

He urged all candidates aspiring for leadership positions to take up the pledge and live by it for the sake of the country.

“All of us must engage in peace building by promoting our Kenyan identity and shunning the meaningless ethnic hatred fuelled by unfounded prejudices,” Mr Kenneth said.