Presidential hopeful Paul Muite/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 16- Former Kabete Member of Parliament Paul Muite has declared his intention to vie for the presidency in next year’s elections.
Mr Muite, who announced his bid for the top seat on Friday, said he would seek the presidency on a Safina ticket adding that he was not anyone’s political ploy.
He however added that Safina would consider working with other likeminded political parties to increase its stronghold after the polls.
“The Safina Constitution allows us to work with other parties so if there are other political parties that want to work with us and have a vision that is similar with ours, then we will work with them,” he said.
Mr Muite however declined to reveal who his running mate would be saying that the party members would decide once they voted in a deputy leader.
The post was left vacant after the former deputy leader Abdikadir Mohamed said that he needed time to decide whether or not to pursue his political ambitions through Safina party.
The party’s Constitution indicates that the deputy leader automatically becomes the flag bearer’s running mate.
“Mr Mohamed’s position was left vacant so the post of deputy party leader is open for now,” said Mr Muite.
He also said that his party’s bid would be funded by Kenyans noting that the Constitution as well as the Political Parties Act requires parties to declare their sources of money.
He further pledged to spearhead the required national reforms and also ensure that Kenya grew as an economic hub by focusing on developmental ventures.
“It is with humility that I accept the nomination of the Safina Party to offer myself as candidate for the high office of the Republic of Kenya in next year’s elections. It’s a choice between real and genuine change or allowing things to remain as they are,” he said.
He added that he would protect the country’s national borders to ensure that Kenyans were protected from foreign invasions.
“Our borders are porous because of inefficiency and corruption. Terrorists enter and leave at will. We will fight to ensure that Safina forms the government so as to address the wrongs done to our people by former leaders,” he said.
The Safina party added that it would also ensure gender parity while selecting its national delegates. They also pledged to incorporate marginalised communities in their ambitions.
Mr Muite has in the past found himself in trouble with auctioneers who wanted him evicted from his Karen home to offset his loan arrears.
So far Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, Gichugu MP Martha Karua, Bumula MP Wakoli Bifwoli, Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa, Gachoka MP Mutava Musyimi have already declared their interests for the top seat.
Little known Jafar Isaac has also launched his bid for the presidency.
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