I will vie for presidency come 2017, says Kalonzo Musyoka

Wiper Democratic Movement Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Kilome Constituency Member of Parliament Regina Ndambuki join Kanini Kaseo dancers at Mulumini Primary School grounds during Ndambuki’s home-coming ceremony.[PHOTO: DENNIS KAVISU / STANDARD]

By DANIEL NZIA and PHILIP  MUASYA

Kenya: Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka has said he is ready to vie for the presidency in 2017.

Kalonzo said his sojourn in the opposition is a sabbatical leave from where he can keenly observe the Jubilee leadership.

“I do not know what reason Kenyans will have not to elect me as their president come 2017,” he said.

Kalonzo was speaking at Mulumini Primary School in Kilome Constituency, Makueni County during a home coming party hosted by area MP Regina Ndambuki.

The ceremony was also attended by Makueni governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana and various members of Parliament.

The 2017 presidency debate came up after Matungulu MP Stephen Mule fired the first salvo when he declared the ceremony the launch of “Kalonzo for President 2017” drive.

LOCAL SUPPORT

 Mule said some local leaders are being used by the Jubilee leadership to discredit Kalonzo and warned they will face the wrath of the people.

His Kangundo counterpart Maweu Katatha said Kalonzo is fit to lead the country and told other Kamba leaders harbouring the dream of succeeding him to bite the bullet.

Kwanza MP Fedinard Wanyonyi, who was representing Senator Moses Wetangula at the party, described Kalonzo as a true nationalist and urged the Kamba community to rally behind him in his quest.

He said Western, Nyanza and Rift Valley regions are ready to support the former vice president for the top seat in 2017.

“Other regions are ready to throw their weight behind Kalonzo in 2017.It is the duty of the Kamba community to lead the way now,”  Wanyonyi said.  

In his speech, Kalonzo asked governors to ensure devolution is fully implemented so that wananchi can reap maximum benefits.

He said the constitution devolved resources so that marginalised regions can get their rightful share of the national resources.

UKAMBANI UNITY

“We have lagged behind in development and governors must ensure all the resources allocated to their regions are spent for the intended purposes,” Kalonzo said.

The former vice president asked leaders in Ukambani to unite and work together in order to spur development in the region.

Kalonzo extended an olive branch to Party of Independent Candidates of Kenya (PICK) boss John Harun Mwau and asked him to join hands with him and other elected leaders in Ukambani in developing the region. 

Kibwezi East MP Jessica Mbalu strongly opposed the scrapping of women’s House seats, saying doing so would be against the spirit of the constitution.