Mudavadi Coast lobby launches campaign

A lobby group has been launched in Mombasa to campaign for Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi's presidential bid.

The group, Comrades of Mudavadi, will campaign for Mudavadi and his United Democratic Front (UDF) in the Coast, its officials said at a press conference at Summerlink Hotel Thursday.

The group's chairman Mwalimu Mwaguzo denied that Mr Mudavadi was a project of the Party of National Unity (PNU) and President Kibaki as claimed recently by Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo.

“Honourable Mudavadi is not anybody’s project. Jirongo’s claims are untrue and baseless. Our candidate decided on his own to vie for the presidency because he wants to bring change to Kenya,” said Mr Mwaguzo.

He claimed Mr Jirongo was former president Moi’s project in the YK 92 (Youth for Kanu 92) and had been used by many parties.

“We are sampling facts and will soon shame Jirongo in public."

The group, which promised to spread to other counties in Coast province, described Mr Mudavadi as a level-headed leader who did not discriminate anyone on the basis of colour, race, religion, background or gender saying he was also best suited to bring true change to the country.

In a statement read by Secretary Kibibi Ngare, the group said its candidate would ensure the rule of law in Kenya, bring economic liberation and implement the Constitution if elected president.

“He will also harness the ethnic diversity by facilitating national unity, cohesion and reconciliation of all Kenyans,” she said.

She said Mr Mudavadi will create wealth by building structures to reduce the poor-rich gap and enhance democracy and good governance.

"Mudavadi will also ensure leadership of integrity, accountability and transparency and independence."