Tuju unveils his Party of Action

Former Cabinet minister Raphael Tuju on Sunday unveiled the Party of Action (Poa), the political vehicle he intends to use to vie for the presidency and promised to provide the “safe pair of hands” that will transform the country.

The party launch comes on the background of reports that Mr Tuju’s party is a “Plan B” for Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta.

Ndaragua MP Jeremiah Kioni had been quoted in a newspaper on Sunday saying that Mr Kenyatta’s allies had advised him to have a fall back plan in case he and Eldoret North MP William Ruto are derailed by the impending International Criminal Court trials.

But Mr Munyori Buku, an aide of Mr Kenyatta’s, denied the claim. “All were invited as friends of Mr Tuju and his party. This ‘Plan B’ talk is a creation of Mr Kioni and his paymasters,” said Mr Buku.

Mr Kenyatta, Mr Ruto, Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa, Trade minister Chirau Mwakwere and others attended the launch.

During the event held in Nairobi, the former adviser to the President launched a 12-point manifesto that spells out the key areas his government would work on if he clinched the presidency. (READ: Kenyan presidential candidates raise billions)

The Party of Action symbol is a mobile phone with the slogan: Kenya ni Sisi Sote (Kenya is all of us). Its colours are yellow and green.

Apart from the youth empowerment which is expected to be the centre of his campaign, others include tackling tribalism, guaranteeing food security and ensuring that the economy grows.

“I will reform the health and education sectors and form a ministry to look after the interest of Kenyans living abroad,” Mr Tuju promised.

Voicing his opposition to the cases before the International Criminal Court, Mr Tuju said this was part of the mix of issues that have traumatised and polarised the country.

Mr Kenyatta, Mr Ruto, Mr Wamalwa and Mr Mwakwere made short speeches congratulating him and calling for unity.

“Kenya is witnessing a new beginning. This is going beyond tribe, religion, race amongst others,” said Mr Ruto.

Mr Kenyatta said Kenyans could not have pride in a country that could not feed its citizens many of whom remained unemployed.