I’m best suited to beat Uhuru in 2017 election, says Kalonzo

Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka has stepped up efforts to secure the Opposition presidential ticket, saying he was the candidate best suited to reconcile all communities and foster national unity.

The former vice-president and former Foreign Affairs minister said that, if elected as the next president, he will use his immense diplomatic experience to ensure the country remains united after the 2017 General Election.

“There are those who seek power for selfish gain. Others want authority to expand their business empires. Kenyans should ask the hard questions on who is best qualified to lead before casting their vote,” the former VP said.

In an interview with the Nation on Wednesday, Mr Musyoka sought to position himself as the compromise candidate who can unite supporters of Jubilee and Cord.

He said the country had been deeply polarised under President Uhuru Kenyatta’s leadership and there was a feeling of resentment among many communities who feel left out in the sharing of the national cake.

“Jubilee has entrenched tribalism in state affairs and created a dangerous sense of entitlement among the two communities where they draw their majority support from while the rest of the country feels disenfranchised,” he said.

He said such open blunders have not only served to divide Kenyans along ethnic lines, they are a major threat to national cohesion because the deep sense of resentment is a recipe for instability.

RECONCILE COMMUNITIES

He said his record in peace-building when he served as Foreign Affairs minister helped reconcile warring communities in Somalia and Sudan.

“The country needs a leader who can inculcate a sense of nationhood and belonging among all Kenyans in order to achieve political stability and grow the economy,” Mr Musyoka said, adding that political instability had a serious bearing on the economy and hence the need to restore unity.

Mr Musyoka served as Foreign Affairs minister in both presidents Daniel arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki’s governments where he was actively involved in regional peace efforts.

He said that as the 2017 elections approach, Kenyans need a complete paradigm shift and vote out the Jubilee Government.

He spoke after chairing his Wiper party’s summit, the top decision-making organ, which discussed his preparedness for the presidential contest where he is expected to square off with ODM’s Raila Odinga and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula.

Casting himself as a son of a peasant, he appealed for support from ordinary Kenyans saying he was the only candidate who understood the aspirations of the poor.

“I am the only candidate who understands what going without food means. I carry with me the hopes and aspirations of those fellow Kenyans who struggle to make ends meet and I’ll strive to make a difference in their lives,” he said.

“The time is now for the common man who understands what poverty is to lead this country,” he said.

Mr Musyoka said he was fully prepared for a bruising battle for the country’s top leadership including clinching the Cord ticket and that his rejuvenated presidential bid will shock his opponents.

The meeting was attended by deputy party leader Shakila Abdalla, chairman David Musila, Secretary-General Omar Hassan, governors Hussein Dado (Tana River), Nadhif Jama (Garissa), Julius Malombe (Kitui) and Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni). Senator Omar said the summit discussed several issues including mobilising resources.