Senate minority leader Moses Wetang’ula has said he will be the Cord candidate for the 2017 presidential election. The Bungoma Senator said on Saturday he has launched a plan to register more than three million voters in Western Kenya’s 38 constituencies.
He said he has bought 38 motorcycles to be used in the voter registration drive in Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Vihiga, Busia and Kakamega counties in readiness for the poll.
“I have used my own money to buy these motorcycles to be used in identifying those without identity cards so they can register,” Wetang’ula said.
He was speaking at the burial of veteran sports journalist Hezekiah Wepukhulu at Butunde in Sirisia on Saturday. Wetang’ula said as the only elected Cord principal, he is best placed to lead Cord’s bid for the presidency. He termed President Uhuru’s election win as “stolen”.
Wetang’ula criticised the Jubilee government appointments as flawed and tribal because most of the appointees are from Uhuru’s and Deputy President William Ruto’s Central and Rift Valley backyards. “They are only at the top there for four more years after their stolen election victory and then we shall come. So we must get ready our people,” he said. “We must have and show the ambition to acquire power because we have the numbers. Once we have those numbers our partners will have no option but to back us.”
Kiminini MP, and Cord deputy chief whip, Chris Wamalwa backed the senator’s bid. He said Wetang’ula was the only viable option for Cord following the failed bid by former Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi on the Amani Coalition ticket in the March 4 general election and the exit from the political scene of New Ford Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa. Ford Kenya secretary general Eseli Simiyu rubbished claims that the Luhya are divided.
“Our people are united. They have been united since 2002 when we voted the Narc government into power. It is us leaders who have been divided,” Simiyusaid. He said the leaders are working to achieve unity among themselves. “We we are working for the people who elected us, and the people are already united,” the Kimilili MP said. Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi and Lusweti Mukwe of Kabuchai constituency supported the unity call.
They declared their support for the planned issuing of IDs to all eligible Kenyans in the region and their registration as voters. The two called on the provincial administration to support the exercise to ensure it success.
They said poor voter turnout and demands for handouts prior to voting in Western province must be cast aside if the region is to produce a presidential candidate that will attract national support.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment