Happening Now: Raila addresses the nation
It’s enough, I will not back Raila again, says Kalonzo
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his deputy Farah Maalim address supports after opening a new party office in Mombasa on September 28, 2020.
What you need to know:
- Mr Musyoka, who completed his three-day Coast tour, told supporters that Wiper is determined to be in the next government.
- The former vice president who made his debut run for high office in 2007 said his party is capable of running the government if given the mandate by voters.
The Wiper boss had earlier toured Kwale where he introduced the party candidate for the Msambweni by-election -- business man Shee Abdulrahman.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has declared he is done backing Raila Odinga’s presidential bid and he will run for president in the next election.
Mr Musyoka, who was ODM leader Odinga’s running mate in their unsuccessful 2013 and 2017 presidential bids, on Monday said he will not play second fiddle to anybody in 2022.
“The 10 years we have helped Raila are enough. We are now moving forward. It is not going to be business as usual. Our journey has begun, we pray for coronavirus to vanish so that we can hit the ground running,” Mr Musyoka said yesterday when he opened a new office in Mombasa.
Mr Musyoka, who completed his three-day Coast tour, told supporters that Wiper is determined to be in the next government.
“This time round we are not taking prisoners. If President Uhuru Kenyatta is leaving the Presidency according to the law, then Wiper will be taking over. We are going to talk with party delegates to ensure we have a strong team to emerge the winner,” he said.
Running the government
The former vice president who made his debut run for high office in 2007 said his party is capable of running the government if given the mandate by voters.
Mr Musyoka said Wiper, which has signed a cooperation pact with the ruling party, was considering issues affecting Coast region and will advise President Kenyatta on possible solutions.
“The Standard Gauge Railway, for instance, has affected the economy in Coast and that is why we propose Mombasa to be a free port like Dubai. We are doing research and we will inform the President to think along those lines so that we can deal with the issue of unemployment,” he said.
Kalonzo added that leaders need to look for ways of getting job opportunities for the youth, and promised to “look into these issues as Wiper.”
Mr Musyoka, who wound up his tour in Taita-Taveta County, said the government needs to consider turning the Mombasa-Nairobi highway into a complete dual carriage way.
Toured Kwale
The Wiper boss had earlier toured Kwale where he introduced the party candidate for the Msambweni by-election -- business man Shee Abdulrahman.
ODM and ANC will field candidates for the seat which has also attracted independents.
Former Bongwe/Gombato MCA Omar Boga will contest for ODM’s ticket with the party’s Kwale branch vice chairman Nicholas Zani. The party nominations are scheduled for October 1.
The independents in the race include Sharlet Mariam and Feisal Bader who has been backed by Deputy President William Ruto. Mr Kalonzo exuded confidence in Wiper winning.
