Presidential hopeful Raphael Tuju
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 28 – Former Cabinet Minister Raphael Tuju on Sunday launched his presidential bid joining a growing list of hopefuls for the top seat in the next general election.
Mr Tuju who until Saturday was an advisor to President Mwai Kibaki pledged to focus on moving Kenya from an agricultural based economy to one hinged on industrialisation.
“There is no country in this world that has made the transition from a backward, less developed country by everybody getting a small piece of land and became developed,” he stated.
“We are going to feed ourselves if we mechanise agriculture; we are going to be able to give opportunity to our young people not by giving each of them a parcel of land but creating industries,” the former Rarieda MP said.
Mr Tuju who resigned as presidential advisor on ethnic relations on Saturday described his candidature as different because he does not bring into the political arena any tribal or regional voting block.
“We must usher in a new era of an issue-oriented political dispensation,” he said.
“I am making a proposition which puts wealth and job creation, improvement of quality of life of every Kenyan in education, housing, employment, health and efficient public service delivery at the centre stage of our national effort and nothing else,” Mr Tuju emphasised.
He said his government would also adopt zero tolerance to corruption.
“I have listened to many young Kenyans around the country, almost resigned to the reality that there is no way out of the current ethnic politics,” he said.
His main focus, he said, would be on job creation.
“I understand the predicament faced by a young and jobless man or woman without well-connected relatives to help them find a job – I was that young man,” he said.
He said he would address this by changing the politics of Kenya, harnessing the collective strength and determination of all Kenyans and celebrating Kenyan diversity.
However, Mr Tuju said he was yet to identify a political party under which to run as well as a running mate.
“I am in discussion with two parties and I will let you know soon,” he said.
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