I won't go for top seat, says Eugene Wamalwa

Eugene Wamalwa makes his keynote address to the National Assemble Committee on Appointments when he was vetted in as Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Water 09/06/15 [PHOTO/MOSES OMUSULA/STANDARD]

President Uhuru Kenyatta's nominee to the Cabinet Eugene Wamalwa yesterday told MPs that he had dropped his quest for the presidency so that he can focus on his new assignment as Water and Irrigation Cabinet secretary.

The former Saboti MP promised MPs that his main focus will be to ensure Jubilee's one million-acre irrigation promise becomes a reality.

Mr Wamalwa quit his position as New Ford Kenya party leader and even dropped his ambitions to vie for the presidency in 2017 "because as it is, there will only be two horses in the race like we had in 2013."

"I have looked at 2017 and I see Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta will be vying for the presidency. I have no time and resources to waste campaigning to be a donkey in what, as Raila says, will be a two-horse race. I have shelved my 2017 presidential ambitions to serve this nation," said Wamalwa.

 jump-start project

Speaking when he appeared for vetting by the Committee on Appointments at Nairobi's County Hall, the former Cabinet minister and Saboti MP said if his nomination is approved, his first duty will be to jump-start the one million acres irrigation project Galana-Kulalu as outlined in the Jubilee manifesto.

Harvesting of rain water for future use and working with counties to supply Kenyans with tap water are also some of Wamalwa's priorities.

During the grilling, Duale put Wamalwa to task over the source of his wealth.

Wamalwa said he owns farms, houses, and other assets and has a law practice that has been operational for over 20 years.

"This is not a job, it is an opportunity to serve the people of Kenya," said Wamalwa.

The committee chaired by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi will meet this morning to make the final determination.