Kalonzo to name 2012 presidential campaign team

Saturday, 04 June 2011 00:05 BY MATHEWS NDANYI

PLANS: Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka says he has started assembling a team for his 2012 presidential bid. Kalonzo says he will soon name a committee that has a viability for his candidacy in next year’s elections because of new provisions in the constitution. Kalonzo said the committee will look into the issue of his possible running-mate for the elections slated for August next year.

The VP who was speaking in Eldoret said he was prepared to go it all way to the ballot box and hopes that this time around Kenyans will elect him to succeed President Kibaki who is set to retire next year. “Shortly, I will be naming a team to look into the possibility of a Kalonzo candidacy and in all aspects concerning the 2012 elections,” said Kalonzo.

Kalonzo said he was happy that the election budget had been planned for in the estimates to be presented in parliament next week and that MPs should allow Deputy PM Uhuru Kenyatta who is also Minister for Finance to go ahead and read the budget.

The VP was publicly challenged by Kangundo MP Johnstone Muthama to be brave enough and fight to inherit State House because he was a heartbeat away from the seat. “It's better to be a lion once than to be a sheep always,” said Muthama. Kalonzo said he was ready for the 2012 battle.

The VP said he wanted to regain his popularity in areas like Rift Valley within the shortest time possible so that he is well prepared for the 2012 polls.

Muthama asked teachers to help Kenyans choose the next President wisely so that no one will regret after the elections. He said it was wrong for Kenyans to make mistakes during elections and then regret later. “Don't take a back seat as other people decide who will be the president then you start complaining later. Participate so that you take charge of the elections and decide for yourselves," said Muthama. 
The VP had earlier indicated that he would work for a political alliance involving him and Deputy PM Uhuru Kenyatta along with Eldoret North MP William Ruto but the VP appears not to be keenly focused on the alliance, at least for now.