By Job Weru
Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi completed his tour of President Kibaki’s Nyeri County Sunday evening, with a significant call on the residents to change their voting patterns.
Mudavadi said Kenyans have the perception that Central Kenya residents do not vote for leaders from outside the region — that they always back one of their own to ascend to the presidency.
Addressing faithful at Our Lady of Fatima Mukurwe-ini Catholic Parish, Mudavadi warned that it was high time Central Kenya people proved to Kenyans that they are able to unite with other Kenyans and elect leaders from outside the region.
“You now have the opportunity to prove to Kenyans that you can vote for leaders from outside the region. Let me tell you that Kenyans are watching and it is high time you proved the stereotypes wrong,” said Mudavadi.
Meet-the-people tour
The DPM was on a weekend tour of Nyeri County. On Saturday, he met local leaders at Nyeri ACK Church Hall and later toured the Nyeri town where he addressed residents at the main terminus.
United Democratic Forum leaders, Assistant Minister Nderitu Mureithi and Manyala Keya and MPs Jeremiah Kioni (Ndaragwa), Boni Khalwale (Ikolomani) and George Nyamweya (Nominated) accompanied him.
Also present in Sunday’s church service and a successive meet-the-people tour of Mukurwe-ini and Karatina towns were former Information Minister Mutahi Kagwe, Nyeri County Council Chairman Mr Wachira Keen and political activists, Simon Mathenge and Dr Gakuru Wahome.
Khalwale, who received a warm welcome, called on President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to call an early election in December.
Election mood
Khalwale said a court ruling that set the General Election for March 4 next year gave the two principals powers to call an early election.
