By Paul Mutua
Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has said he will not defend his Mwingi North parliamentary seat, which he has held for the last 27 years.
Kalonzo declared before a jubilant crowd, including Kamba elders and clergy, that he will concentrate on his presidential campaigns. He told Mwingi North voters to start looking for a suitable replacement.
Addressing a rally at Musila Gardens in Mwingi town, Kalonzo thanked the residents for electing and supporting him during his tenure.
“I urge you to extend the same dedication and unity to me in my pursuit for the presidency. I am optimistic with your support I will win the battle for the top seat,” he said.
Caused sensation
The VP caused excitement among the crowd when he told said he would always remember his tenure as the area MP. Kalonzo’s one-week of intense campaigns in Machakos, Makueni and Kitui counties culminated in his formal endorsement as their preferred candidate.
During the rallies, local leaders urged Kenyans to elect the VP as the next president, saying he is among the few claen leaders with untainted pasts.
The rally was attended by among others, Assistant ministers David Musila and Gideon Ndambuki, MPs Johnstone Muthama, Isaack Muoki, Philip Kaloki, Itwitu Mbai, Charles Kilonzo, Peter Kiilu Victor Munyaka, Mohammed Affey and Charles Kilonzo.
Kalonzo said if elected president, he would embrace the culture of servant leadership, fight poverty and create employment opportunities for the youth.
“Our natural resources, if properly tapped, can make our economy compete favourably with the developed countries. Lets us all concentrate our energies in harnessing them,” the VP said.
He appealed to Kenyans to elect God-fearing, responsible and honest leaders during the General Election. Musila said the VP’s strong Christian values qualify him to lead.
