Kalonzo rejects calls for August election

Kalonzo rejects calls for August election

MONDAY, 30 JULY 2012 00:03 BY NICHOLAS WAMALWA

CHARM OFFENSIVE: Vice president Kalonzo Musyoka addressing Kitale residents at Kenyatta Stadium on Saturday. Photo/NICHOLAS WAMALWA

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has faulted a section of MPs who want the election date to be extended to August next year. Kalonzo, who is the Wiper Democratic Party presidential hopeful, said Kenyans are comfortable with the March date as ruled by the courts. “We don’t want to hear anybody talking about next year. Those who want to push elections to August will be playing with psychology of Kenyans," Kalonzo said.

He was speaking at the Kenyatta Stadium in Kitale during his presidential campaigns. He also addressed a gathering at Endebess town in Kwanza district after visiting the family of former Cherangany MP, the late Masinde Muliro at Sibanga. Last week, a section of the media reported that there is a plot by MPs to extend election date to August next year.

Kalonzo criticised Prime Minister Raila Odinga for his campaign slogan of being a reformist saying he was a true reformist himself. “You can be a reformer but reforms that are driven by people who lack integrity are not reforms but political thuggery,” Kalonzo said. He said Odinga ruined the ODM party by ruling it through dictatorship that saw the two part ways. “People accused me for abandoning Raila; his ODM bus is completely finished. Ruto moved away with the gear box of the ODM bus, Balala went with tires and Mudavadi recently moved with an engine,"he added.

He said the maize scandal has caused the increase of prices of flour beyond the reach of ordinary Kenyans. “I have no corruption record. But I have minds, I can steal but I have put Kenyans welfare first," said Kalonzo. Kalonzo regretted that lack of proper policies on Agricultural commodities has caused poverty in Trans Nzoia despite it being a food basket county.

He said the government will put up a maize milling factory in Kitale to help add value of maize. He asked youth in the area to vote for people who uphold integrity who will help to tackle poverty. The VP was optimistic that next year’s elections will be peaceful and urged wananchi to reject leaders who issue divisive statements. He said his wide experience has made him the best candidate to succeed President Kibaki.