I will support Kalonzo bid for president in 2017, says Ngilu
Narc party leader Charity Ngilu. She has declared her support for Kalonzo Musyoka's bid for presidency in 2017 and urged other Cord leaders to shelve their ambitions and back the Wiper leader. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mrs Ngilu exuded confidence that Mr Musyoka’s candidacy will guarantee victory for the opposition.
- She urged the Cord to make the former vice-president its presidential flag-bearer.
- The Narc leader said she regrets campaigning for the Jubilee alliance in the 2013 elections.
- She vowed to empower the residents economically if elected Kitui governor.
Former Land minister Charity Ngilu has vowed to support Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s presidential bid in the 2017 elections saying he has the best chance to oust President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Speaking last weekend at a funeral in Mutula Village, Kitui Central Sub-County, Mrs Ngilu exuded confidence that Mr Musyoka’s candidacy will guarantee victory for the opposition.
“It is no doubt that [among] the three Cord co-principals, Kalonzo has all it takes to send the Jubilee administration home given his impeccable statesmanship and unblemished profile,” she said.
She urged the Cord to make the former vice-president its presidential flag-bearer.
BEAT UHURUTO
“I believe he can beat UhuRuto hands down if accorded firm support by fellow opposition leaders and supporters,” noted Mrs Ngilu.
She advised Raila Odinga and Moses Wetang’ula to shelve their bids to allow Mr Musyoka take a shot at the country’s top seat in 2017.
However, the Narc party leader said she regrets campaigning for the Jubilee alliance in the 2013 elections saying the decision cost her the Kitui’s Senate seat which she narrowly lost to David Musila.
“I will not make the same mistake this time round. I have made a resolve to back Kalonzo Musyoka. I beseech the entire Kamba community to rally behind our own son as well,” she said.
Calling for unity of purpose, the onetime presidential hopeful said her past infightings with Mr Musyoka had caused divisions within the community and cost it the chance to clinch Kenya’s top leadership.
BID FOR KITUI GOVERNOR
“I wish to inform Kalonzo Musyoka that I will campaign for him as I seek Kitui governor’s seat. I hope that he will support my gubernatorial ambitions in return,” she said.
Mrs Ngilu has declared her bid for the Kitui governor’s seat which has also attracted Senator Musila.
The two arch-rivals seek to unseat the incumbent, Dr Julius Malombe, who has vowed to defend the seat in the coming elections.
Musila and Malombe will battle it out for the Wiper ticket while Ngilu, who has been traversing the county in a spirited vote-hunt, maintains that she will vie on her party’s ticket.
NGILU'S TRACK RECORD
Ms Ngilu urged Kitui voters to elect her as their next governor saying “my track record as the MP for Kitui Central and minister for Health and Water speaks for itself.”
She vowed to empower the residents economically through creation of vibrant income-generating projects if elected into office.
“Kitui is well-endowed with extensive natural and mineral wealth and it is a shame that we are reeling in poverty. I will ensure optimum exploitation of the resources so as to make this county economically independent,” she said.
