Nandi elders endorse Mudavadi’s presidential bid

NANDI, Kenya, Jul 7 – Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi on Friday pitched tent in Nandi County where Nandi Laibon lineage elders endorsed his presidential bid ahead of the General Elections next year.

Mudavadi secured the blessing and support from the elders after a meeting at the legendary Nandi hero Koitalel Arap Samoei’s museum .

“The father loves all his children but he knows who among his children will inherit his leadership authority. In your vote hunting mission to lead the country don’t abuse your competitors because you will give them human sympathy”, said the Chairman of the Nandi Council of elders Henry Rotich as he performed the ceremony.

Several elders who spoke noted the two communities have shared platform for struggle through their leaders like the late Masinde Muliro and Jean-Marie Seroney and they now needed to work together.

Addressing the elders in Tinderet constituency, Mudavadi said the country needs a president who speaks the language of the poor and who will fully implement the new constitution that promises devolution to bring resources down to the grassroots to spur development and uplift Kenyans from poverty.

He said the forthcoming general elections will give Kenyans an opportunity to choose a leader who will oversee the country’s transition from the old style of governance to the new style of devolved governance that promises hope for Kenyans.

Mudavadi said this requires focused leaders who have shown initiative to ensure the full implementation of the new constitution especially devolution in order not to let Kenyans down.

“The country is in transition period and Kenyans should elect leaders who will oversee the implementation of the new constitution especially devolution. As Local Government Minister I was in the forefront in ensuring laws on devolution were formulated and passed in Parliament. When elected president I will ensure full implementation of the 2010 Constitution.” he reiterated.

Mudavadi said his reform agenda will be on how to see the majority of Kenyans can put food on their table by fighting spiraling inflation, and not rhetoric on reform.

“Kenyans will not eat heroic words about our deeds,” he said adding that he will focus on economic policies that would result in jobs for millions of unemployed Kenyan youths.

He appealed to Kenyans to remain united regardless of their ethnic background, County of origin or party affiliation.

“My reform agenda is about how to grow the economy, create price stability to enable Kenyans afford basic needs and give technical skills to youths who may not progress to higher academic levels. Mine will not be about how many scars I bore in the struggle for reform in the past,” he said.

“I will also correct the balkanization of the Country based on ethnic or political party affiliation by past reckless political acrimony to ensure the country remains united.” he added.

The DPM later addressed UDF party supporters at several stopovers along Kapsabet- Nand Hills road before heading to Kimilili in Bungoma County to console the family of the late Mzee Wanyonyi Manguliech who will be laid to rest on Saturday.

Manguliech is Bukusu tradition seer of the Dini ya Musambwa sect founded by the late Elijah Masinde.

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