Moi joins ‘Kieleweke’ for Meru trip as anti-Ruto campaign gathers pace

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has, for the first time, joined a team opposed to DP William Ruto’s presidential bid and popularly known as Kieleweke, in a visit to Meru.

Mr Moi joined MPs Maina Kamanda, Maoka Maore, Gladys Wanga, Mercy Gakuya, William Kamket and former MP Silas Muriuki, who hailed him as a leader without blemish who was the best suited to assume leadership.

CORRUPTION

They said their group was aimed at drumming up support for the war against corruption and push for a referendum to boost cohesion in the country.

Mr Kamanda claimed that most of the money attained through graft was being kept in sacks inside some politician’s homes and suggested to churches to stop taking cash but insist on cheques.

“In Murang’a, some bishops are forming a welfare group where they directly receive money from suspicious sources.”

“As we speak now, there is money in the homes of some politicians that cannot be taken to banks because they will ask about the source. That is the money that is being taken to churches. Let us not glorify thieves and give the faithful hope that we can fight graft,” said the nominated MP.

REFERENDUM

Mr Kamanda and Ms Wanga said a referendum was now inevitable and was meant to help transform Kenya, without any particular leader in mind.

Mr Maore wondered where people with no known business establishments got millions of shillings which they donate to churches.

“If you are not an entrepreneur or into innovation, you cannot have billions,” said the Igembe North MP.

Mr Moi said he is relying on his father retired President Daniel Moi’s network as he launches his bid for a high office.

He said the former Head of State always introduces him to his trusted friends spread across the country and ensures he maintains contact.

Addressing the faithful at Runogone Methodist Church in Imenti North constituency, Meru county, Mr Moi said his father always enquired where he was going so as to offer guidance, and gave him his “bicycle” (a helicopter).

BIG FOUR

He said he would continue contributing to church activities.

“I was brought up in a Christian way. Every Sunday I go to a different church in any part of the country. Yesterday (Saturday), my father asked me where I was going and I informed him about Meru and he told me that he has friends here. He told me that the friends have children and grandchildren. You never know about tomorrow,” said Mr Moi.

He, however, said he was not in a hurry to start campaigns and mainly concentrated his efforts on President Uhuru Kenyatta’s big four agenda, particularly universal healthcare, which he said would help rural people.

“Health is a big issue and we are being called for harambees to raise funds for people who are sick. The universal healthcare will solve that problem. Our role is to help the President deliver on the Big Four agenda. The President and (ODM leader) Raila Odinga have the interest of the people at heart,” he said.

PRESIDENTIAL AMBITIONS

At the same time, Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi told Mr Ruto to forget about the 2012 pre-election pact between him and President Kenyatta and prepare to face Kenyans at the ballot in 2022 in his presidential ambitions.

Speaking in Kisumu, Mr Mudavadi said there was no legal or constitutional backing for the deal which promised the DP the presidency after President Kenyatta serves his two terms.

Mr Mudavadi said the pact was insignificant as it was not legal and Kenyan voters will decide who will become the President in the 2022 General Election.

“What part of the Constitution is Ruto quoting?” Mr Mudavadi asked.

“As far I am concerned the presidency is about being elected by the people of Kenya in a constitutionally specified manner. So, if you talk about anybody having a deal, then maybe he should tell us under which constitutional provisions,” he said after attending a church service at Citam Kisumu Church.

SHYLOCK

The ANC leader was accompanied by former Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo, Vihiga Woman Representative Beatrice Adagala and a host of MCAs from Nyanza and Western region.

He spoke a day after ODM Mr Odinga told the DP that he cannot use the 2012 pre-election pact to hold Kenyans at ransom, equating him to a political shylock to was using Kenyans to trade his political ambitions.

Yesterday, the DP said the Jubilee administration will work with all leaders to confront the changes faced by Kenyans noting the party had agreed to shun outdated politics that thrive on divisions and tribalism.

Reporting by Carol Wafula, Charles Wanyoro, Mary Wambui and Ibrahim Oruko