Monday, August 29, 2011

Tuju denies plan to split Raila votes


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Jennifer Muiruri | NATION Mr Raphael Tuju (left) talks to guests during the launch of his presidential bid at the Laico Regency Hotel on August 28, 2011.
Jennifer Muiruri | NATION Mr Raphael Tuju (left) talks to guests during the launch of his presidential bid at the Laico Regency Hotel on August 28, 2011.  
By PETER NG’ETICH pngetich@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Sunday, August 28  2011 at  22:00
IN SUMMARY
  • Former Rarieda MP says Party of National Unity had no hand in his decision to resign and go for the top seat
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Former Cabinet minister Raphael Tuju has denied that his presidential bid was meant to split Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s votes.
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Mr Tuju said PNU did not have a hand in his decision to go for the top seat.
The former Information minister, who launched his presidential bid in Nairobi on Sunday, said he had identified two parties on which he would seek votes.
He said he had entered the race after being urged to do so by youths as he went round the country preaching peace following the 2008 post-election violence through his Kenya Hope Foundation.
He said many capable young leaders had given up hope of ever taking up the leadership of the country because they did not enjoy political patronage.
Mr Tuju, who was a special advisor in the Office of the President before resigning on Sunday, said he wanted to prove that Kenyans could look beyond tribal inclinations.
“I understand that divisive game of tribal politics is extremely profitable to some, even as it levies a heavy cost on tribal followers. Kenyans have died for their tribal political leaders but I am in the race because of the many unemployed youths and tribal alliances which have dominated our politics,” he said.




He added: “Instead of announcing yet another tribal alliance, I am building a national alliance of peace-loving, honest and hard working Kenyans in every corner of this country, who share the belief and conviction that this country deserves better.”
Mr Tuju said he had served President Kibaki in the last eight and a half years and had decided to re-enter politics at the national level as a presidential candidate.
“I realise that with my candidacy, I do not bring into the political arena any tribal or regional voting bloc because my tribe is Kenya,” he said.
The former Rarieda MP said his stepping down, which President Kibaki approved, was to avoid a possible conflict of interest while engaging in campaigns.
“I hope that my stepping forward will inspire many more to dare to dream of a country that is not gripped by these vices,” said Mr Tuju.


Raphael Tuju's Bio
Hon Raphael Tuju, EGH is a Presidential Candidate in Kenya’s forthcoming general elections.
With a successful background in the private sector, Mr Tuju joined politics in 2002 and has served the Government of Kenya in various capacities since that time.
His most recent appointment was as Advisor to the President of the Republic of Kenya, on matters related to Media and the Management of Diversity.
He also served as Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister from end of 2005 to end of 2007.

Between 2003 and 2005, Mr Tuju held two other portfolios; Minister of Information and Communications and Minister for Tourism and Wildlife.

He was Member of Parliament (MP) for Rarieda Constituency from 2002 to 2007, in which time he is credited with the excellent record of building up to five (5) new secondary schools to increase high school enrolment in the region. He also implemented a major water project for the Rarieda people and introduced an innovative mobile hospital to decrease infant mortality as a result of malaria and HIV/AIDS.

Mr Tuju is an accomplished professional in the communication field with a successful track record in the private sector as founder Director of a communication company and interests in the real estate business.

He holds a Master of Arts (MA) Degree in Mass Communication from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom.

“In my younger years, I worked as a Television Producer with several documentary films to my credit and earning the distinction of being the first TV Producer in Africa to win an International Emmy award for a TV production.”

“I mainly addressed health and human development issues in my communication career with HIV/AIDS and Gender Empowerment being the main subject matter and in which I am credited with some of the major ground breaking mark in Kenya.”

Mr Tuju was awarded the second highest civilian title in Kenya, E.G.H. (Elder of the Golden Heart) by President Mwai Kibaki for his many years of service to the people of Kenya in the area of health, human development and public service.

Highlights of career path

2008 - 2011:    Advisor, Office of the President, with special 
emphasis on media and management of ethnic relations.  Also served as Special Envoy of the President on various missions.

2005 – 2007:    Minister for Foreign Affairs 
-    Member of Parliament
-    Chairman of NARC Kenya political party – the biggest member of the PNU.

2003 – 2005:    Minister of Tourism
Minister of Information and Communication
-    Member of Parliament.

1992 – 2001:    Founder Director of Ace Communications

-    Worked as Lead consultant in the design and implementation of several public communication programs for a varied Clientele that include WHO in Geneva, World Bank, DfID of the British Government, USAID, UNDP just to mention a few.
-    Was Producer and Director of several documentaries, Radio and TV commercials for international agencies, public sector institutions and private sector bodies.
-    Was a columnist for Local Newspapers notably the East African Standard.
-    Also worked as an Anchor for TV News in the late 1980s and early part of the 1990s on a part time basis.

Mr Tuju is married and has three children; two daughters and a son. He is an alumnus of the well-known Starehe Boys’ Centre and School.

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