By Allan Kisia

KENYA: Presidential candidate Paul Muite has vowed to deal ruthlessly with wealthy individuals who acquired land illegally.

Mr Muite, who spoke while on a campaign trail in various parts of Nairobi, said his Government will repossess all land that was acquired unlawfully even if the culprits are prominent personalities.

“We will not take your land if you acquired it lawfully but if your land was grabbed, you will have to return it to the public,” stated Muite, who is seeking the presidency on a Safina ticket.

The Government has, however, been asking candidates to refrain from discussing land matters as they campaign, arguing that the issue was sensitive.

On Thursday, Muite said land matters are of great concern to Kenyans and candidates had the right to discuss them as they seek votes.

Muite said Kenyans who acquired their land legally have no cause to worry because his Government will not target them.

He made the remarks while addressing a crowd at Kayole during his meet-the-people tour. His running mate Shem Ochuodho and Safina senate seat candidate for Nairobi Arnold Maliba accompanied him.

The team also toured Mathare, Umoja, Dandora, Kariobangi and Eastleigh areas of the city.

Muite further accused the previous regimes of failing to fight poverty and negative ethnicity.

“President Kibaki has built so many roads but people are still poor. The economy is growing but the ordinary man is still suffering,” he stated.

Colonial era

He blamed the current situation on the social-economic policies that were implemented by the last three regimes.

“These policies are the same ones since the colonial era and they have been benefiting a few people at the expense of the majority. Those who took over maintained the policies for selfish interests,” he explained.

He said socio-economic policies should target the majority of the population.

“The economy has grown by up to eight per cent but only a few benefited. It is the right of every Kenyan to live well and enjoy the fruits of economic growth,” he stated.

Muite promised that his government will reverse the trend and ensure all Kenyans grow together.

“The previous governments have been for rich Kenyans, led by the rich,” he lamented.

He added that the past government did so little to fight tribalism and joblessness, which have been the country’s worst enemies.

“People are still divided along ethnic lines and the majority of the population has no source of livelihood,” he said.