Kalonzo tells Raila to retire with Kibaki

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has asked Prime Minister Raila Odinga to retire from politics together with President Kibaki because the two have served as equal partners in the coalition government.

Mr Musyoka argued that this was the only way Kenyans would have a chance to elect a new crop of leaders focused on taking the country to the next level of development under the new Constitution.

“He should consider taking a break from politics and let young and determined leaders take over from where they have left,” Mr Musyoka said during a rally at Nabongo grounds in Mumias Town on Monday.

The VP noted that the post of Prime Minister was not provided for in the constitution and was only “sneaked into the old one” to allow for the formation of the coalition government following  the post-election violence that rocked the country in 2007.

Mr Musyoka said he would partner with Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi to ensure his quest to succeed President Kibaki was realised.

“I’m ready to work with the DPM and capitalise on the vast leadership experience I have to give Kenya the best leadership this country deserves,” he said.

Selfish and tribal politics

Mr Musyoka accused some leaders of advancing selfish and tribal politics at the expense of unity and peace. “We must place Kenya and the electorate first,” he said.

Earlier, the VP opened Wiper Democratic Party offices in Mumias Town and later addressed another rally at Muliro gardens in Kakamega.

He is expected to tour other parts of Western Province, including Bumula and Teso.

At the same time, Mr Musyoka has challenged sugar companies to prepare for competition after the end of Comesa safeguards in February 2014. The VP said the sugar industry needed total overhaul to prepare for the removal of Comesa protection.

He said measures put in place to revamp the industry were not enough, arguing that key players in the sector needed to implement policies to protect sugar firms and farmers against exploitation.

“If millers fail to diversify and expand their product base and operations, the industry could collapse,” Mr Musyoka said, adding, the government would seek another two-year extension if the industry failed to stabilise by 2014.

He urged Mumias residents to elect leaders who would push for reforms in the sugar industry. “The leaders you elect will determine the future of the industry,” he said.

In Bungoma County, Mr Musyoka urged Kenyans to reject leaders who were propagating tribalism with a view of locking out other Kenyans.

He said Kenyans should analyse each of the presidential candidates so that they can choose leaders who would unite, and not divide, Kenyans.

He said that leaders who are uniting Kenyans along tribal lines should be rejected since they could plunge the country into chaos.

Mr Musyoka, who addressed several rallies in Bumula, Bungoma Town and Naitiri, said he will focus on uniting Kenyans if elected President.

The VP opened Wiper Democratic Movement offices in Bungoma County and urged more people to join his party.

He said he had come out to vigorously campaign and interact with Kenyans so that he could inherit President Kibaki’s position.

“I am even reaching out to President Kibaki to vote for me since he won’t be on the ballot next year. From now on, you are going to see a Kalonzo who is out to take power,” he said.