Sonko says he'll seek presidency

Friday, 08 July 2011 00:15 BY ALPHONCE GARI

CANDIDATURE: Makadara MP Gidion Mbuvi alias Sonko. Photo/ Charles Kimani

Makadara MP Gideon Mbuvi aka Sonko has declared that he will vie for the presidency in the next general elections. He said his intention is to remove the old men who have been in leadership since independence.
The bling-bling legislator said yesterday in Malindi that time is up for the old guard and it is now time for young leaders to take over. Mbuvi who was addressing journalists in the resort town blamed elder presidents in successive governments since independence for the injustices and impunity done to Kenyans because of bad leadership. "I will be running for the presidency in 2012 to change the leadership from old men who have messed up since independence. There will be massive changes during my tenure," he said.

Sonko said youths have been misused for long by leaders who instigate them into violence during elections but forgot them immediately they ascended to power. He said plans for the presidency were at an advanced stage and would soon roll out his campaign strategy. "We’ll soon be going round the country campaigning. We are organising our people ready to start advocating for the change of leadership," he said. The Makadara MP, however, did not say his party of choice.

He said since 1963 when Mzee Jomo Kenyatta took over, then President Moi and now Mwai Kibaki, the three have never looked into the welfare of the youths who are the majority.

The legislator said many youths were jobless and millions of Kenyans were affected by hunger. His sentiments come barely a week after UDM flag bearer William Ruto accused the coalition government for failing to deliver to Kenyans.

Ruto was on a tour of Coast to seek partnership for his presidential ambitions and named Trade minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere as his possible running mate.