By DAVE OPIYO,dopiyo@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Monday, July 4 2011 at 14:35
Posted Monday, July 4 2011 at 14:35
Another candidate has announced his presidential bid, joining the crowded list of those seeking to lead the country after next year’s general elections.
Little known Mr Jafar Isaac threw his hat into the ring on Monday, barely three days after Gachoka MP Mutava Musyimi launched his presidential bid in Nakuru at the weekend.
Mr Jafar, who will vie as an independent candidate, however refused to divulge any details on who he is, when probed by journalists only saying; “I am a tired Kenyan who has offered himself for the position.”
His campaign spokesman Mr Mohammed Ibrahim assured Kenyans that they will soon get to know him. He did not also say why they withheld the information.
At a news conference in Nairobi, the presidential aspirant said his main mission is to lead a ‘major revolution’ that will unite Kenyans, who currently, have been divided along tribal lines.
“I want to take a step, a calling for real change to make Kenya a better place and a desired society to live in,” said Mr Jafar.
“I promise a break from the past. More that any time in our history, we now have it in our hands, the powers to totally do away with recycled leaders who promise nothing but hope yet they have led the country for decades,” he added.
“The time has come for the baton of leadership to be passed to the generation born after independence and who understand the problems of the common Kenyan,” he went on.
Candidates who have expressed interest in the top job include Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Local Government minister Musalia Mudavadi, Eldoret North MP William Ruto his Gichugu counterpart Martha Karua, Education PS Prof James ole Kiyiapi amongst others.
Mr Jafar took a swipe at the current country’s leadership, accusing it of failing to respect human rights and the rule of law, democracy and freedom of religion.
‘Inflation has gone up and the common man continues to suffer as though they have no leaders in place…besides, we still have the internally displaced people four years down the line,” he said.
He said the country was now on the verge of hunger due to poor planning by the current crop of leaders.
“The prices of essential commodities have continued to escalate beyond the purchasing power of many…there’s lack of accountability and transparency that has fostered official corruption and the plunder of resources meant for development,” said Mr Jafar.
Should he ascend to the country’s leadership, the aspirant said he will not only improve the lives of Kenyans but also tackle the culture of impunity, which is deeply rooted in the country.
“If we do nothing about it, impunity from our current leaders will continue if we don’t put proper checks and balances,” he said.
“Every year, our people will continue to die of hunger and yet we have all the ability and potential to feed our great nation and have surplus for export,” he added.
He said with proper leadership, Kenya can be in the same league as the Asian Tigers such a Malaysia and Singapore.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment