Wamalwa, Njenga finally hold Kamukunji rally

By Athman Amran

Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa finally held his long anticipated rally at Nairobi’s Kamukunji grounds, where he vowed his presidential ambitions are unstoppable.

Wamalwa told an electrified crowd at the historic grounds that it was time for the young generation to take-over the country’s leadership.

It was the second time Wamalwa was holding a rally at Kamukunji, his first rally having been dispersed by over 400 police officers last December.

"We come to this sacred ground with a deep sense of history and purpose. We come to sound the trumpet and plant the seed of generational and transformational change," said Wamalwa.

Hundreds of youth began trooping into the grounds from as early as 7am, chanting slogans in praise of Wamalwa and former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga.

By the time Wamalwa arrived in company of Njenga and former Chief of Protocol in the Prime Minister’s office Tony Gachoka at about 10.30am, Kamukunji was filled to capacity.

"When we speak of generational change, our opponents say that we have no vision or agenda and we are sending a message that age alone is a criteria for leadership and that the current political re-alignment for 2012 is squarely on this issue alone," said Wamalwa.

He said generational change is not about age alone, but is about the old order giving way to new order just like the Lancaster House Constitution has given way to the new Constitution.

"Let me say here today that Kenya has over 9.1 million young people, 75 per cent of whom are unemployed. Needless to say, unemployment and idleness caused by failures by the status quo, is the biggest setback to the progress of the young people and thus the progress of the nation today," added Wamalwa.

Njenga introduced Wamalwa as the ‘President-in-waiting’ as the Labour Party of Kenya (LPK) leader Prof Julia Ojiambo, invited the Saboti MP to join her party.

"I have come to support generational change. The Labour Party of Kenya welcomes Wamalwa into the party," Ojiambo told the rally.

Former Webuye MP Joash Wamang’oli said it was sad that no MP had attended the rally but warned that most of the MPs will not be re-elected in 2012.

Also in attendance was politician Stanley Livondo who said it was now time for Wamalwa and the youth to take over from those who had fought for Kenya’s freedom from colonialism and the "second liberation".

Njenga said Wamalwa and the Kenyan youth are in the front-line to bring generational change in the country.

"It was said that we had an illegal group, but now we have a legal group that would bring change. We used to whisper in dark corners but now we speak in the open and in public," added Njenga.　

Wamalwa, told the rally that brought together thousands of excited youth that he and the young people were now ready to lead a "third liberation" to free Kenyans from poverty, ignorance, corruption and tribalism".

"Now we have to re-claim the Kenyan dream. The third liberation is to free Kenya from poverty, corruption and tribalism," the Saboti MP said.