Wamalwa insists on August election

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By CHARLES WANYORO charlwanyoro@yahoo.co.uk and GERALD ANDAE gandae@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Sunday, November 6  2011 at  22:30

Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa has asked the new polls team chairman designate, Mr Isaack Hassan, to ensure the next General Election is held in August 2012.

Mr Wamalwa said the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) should ensure that the Constitution requirement that the poll be held in August is followed to set a good precedent.

He said the agency has sufficient time to prepare for the elections.

The lawmaker made the remarks at Gakuuni PCEA Church where a Kenya Rural Roads Authority official, Mr Washington Mugambi, launched his bid to vie for the Meru governor post.

“We urge IEBC to respect the Constitution and start preparing for the elections. Many people want the election held in August,” he said.

On the alleged misappropriation of funds meant for the Kazi kwa Vijana programme, the presidential hopeful said he was not out to undermine Prime Minister Raila Odinga but wanted accountability.

“We were not fighting him. We just wanted to ensure there was accountability. The issue of accountability was being challenged when the World Bank sought to recall Sh4.3 billion. Because of poor management, the money will not benefit our youth,” he said.

Mr Wamalwa urged Kenyans to reject leaders who misappropriated public funds.

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“We must demand accountability from our leaders,” he said.

At the same time, the United Democratic Movement chairman, Mr Francis Ole Kaparo, has hinted that the party will conduct its elections next year to allow Kenyans to pick leaders of their choice.

Mr Kaparo said the party was practising democracy, which he described as being key to development.

“At the end of the registration in December this year, I will also contest in the polls for the position of chairman,” said Mr Kaparo.

Speaking during a fund-raiser in Eldoret North constituency on Sunday, Mr Kaparo said he joined UDM because its ideals are meant to boost the country’s economy.

“For the past 16 years I did not identify myself with any political party, but today I am proud to associate myself with UDM because it is a party that assures a good future for Kenyans,” he said.

The former speaker of the National Assembly said the party has enough democratic space to accommodate Kenyans of different ethnic backgrounds.

“It is unfortunate that some people think that a given political constituent belongs to them, we are all Kenyans and we are free to campaign everywhere without interference,” said Mr Kaparo.