CORD leaders unveil Kethi Kilonzo in Makueni Senate race

Kethi Kilonzo addressing the public at Wote after she was unveiled to run for the Makueni Senate seat on a Wiper Democratic Party ticket. [Photo: Martin Mukangu/Standard]

By Daniel Nzia and Onesmus Nzioka

Makueni, Kenya: CORD leaders Monday trooped to Makueni County where they unveiled the late Senator Mutula Kilonzo’s daughter Kethi to succeed her father.

Activities in Wote town came to a near standstill as the CORD entourage snaked through the streets shortly after 4pm.

Top leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula led a host of leaders in endorsing Kethi to carry the party’s flag in the July 22 by-election.

Senators Johnstone Muthama, David Musila, James Orengo and a host of several Wiper party legislators and women representatives accompanied the CORD luminaries.

They asked the people of Makueni to come out in large numbers and write history by electing Kethi as the first elected woman Senator.

Kethi was wildly cheered when she was escorted to the podium to declare her candidature at a huge rally held at Unoa Primary School grounds in Wote town.

“I have now come to you. I decided not to announce my candidature in Nairobi and decided to come and do it at home. Will you vote for me,” asked Kethi as the crowd roared back with a resounding yes.

She thanked the Makueni County electorate for voting for CORD and her late father and assured them that she is ready to fit in his shoes.

Saying: “Akili ni mali”(brain is wealth), Kethi said she has the necessary brains to represent the residents in the Senate just like her father wished to do. “When you see me, you should see brains, and if you vote for me, you get wealth,” she added.

Kethi said she is ready to work with all elected leaders in the county, including Makueni Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana who was her lecturer at the University of Nairobi.

Supreme Court case

Raila said they had come to Makueni to present Kethi to the electorate to contest the seat left vacant after her father’s death.

“We have come to bring Kethi to you. Will you vote for her,” posed Raila to which the crowd responded in the affirmative.

Raila said Kethi was suitable for the seat, adding she demonstrated her abilities during the Supreme Court case.

“Kethi made a name at the Supreme Court where she battled it out with renown lawyers,” added Raila.

He dismissed those saying he and Kalonzo should retire from active politics, saying they will continue fighting for the voiceless.

Kalonzo said the people of Makueni have made their choice to have Kethi as their senator and those hoping to contest it should just step aside because they have no chance.