Kalonzo pays Kiraitu visit in bid for support of the Meru
ader Kalonzo Musyoka yesterday took his presidential campaign to Meru County, where he assured Kenyans that he is best suited to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta .
Claiming he will not step down from the coveted seat contest, Kalonzo warned his political opponents vying for the same office to prepare for an early defeat come August this year.
Accompanied by Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi and several leaders from the region, Kalonzo urged the region to back him for office, assuring that his government will focus on uniting and boosting the economy of the nation.
“I am calling on people of Meru to support me because I am one of your sons so that we can form the next government. We will ensure that all Kenyans from every part of the nation are included in the formation and economy recovery process,” said Kalonzo.
Strong force
Kiraitu hosted Kalonzo at his Nkubu home in South Imenti, before attending a church service at PCEA Kagaru, where he said his party -Development Empowerment Party (DEP) will consider forming a coalition with Wiper to form a strong force ahead of the General Election.
Kalonzo, who said he is still firmly in the One Kenya Alliance (OKA), dismissed rumours of a crack in the outfit. OKA comprises Kanu’s leader Gideon Moi, Musalia Mudavadi (Amani National Congress) and Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya).
“OKA is solid and it will not break but we need your support to win the race,” said Kalonzo.
At the same time Kalonzo and Kiraitu who claimed their friendship has come a long way reiterated this year’s presidential race is the most complicated and tough compared to the previous ones.
“ It is true this year’s succession race is the toughest, so we need a strong coalition to win the election,” Kalonzo added.
The county chief revealed how Kalonzo had come close to becoming president when he (Kalonzo), late Vice-President George Saitoti were in the defunct Alliance Party of Kenya, which also had a bus as its symbol.
“My friend Kalonzo was in the original bus, with Saitoti and others but they left it for me because they refused to be driven, but now we will consider working together because Wiper cannot exist in the air, it needs DEP,” Kiraitu said.
He further said his party will soon consider who to support between ODM leader Raila Odinga, Deputy President William Ruto, Mudavadi and Kalonzo for the presidential race.
“ We will soon declare our preferred candidate after scrutinising all of them. We need a candidate who is ready to work with us and address our economic and political interest as a region,” added Kiraitu.
Increase resources
Kiraitu challenged presidential candidates to marshal MPs affiliated to ODM, Wiper and UDA to create Ward Fund and Youth Council, arguing it did not require a Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) to achieve it.
“Parliament can increase resources without constitutional amendments if we are serious. Why can’t we do it now for the benefit of Kenyans “ Kiraitu paused.
Kalonzo also assured he will push for the yet to be actualised phase two tarmacking of the Maua-Mwingi-Kibwezi road which would enable miraa transporters and others from Meru to reach Garissa
