By Martin Mutua
Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, finally launched his presidential bid on The National Alliance (TNA) party by appealing for an issue-based campaign that is devoid of name-calling.
Uhuru also declared that TNA would be willing to work with other political parties hinting at the much-touted alliance that brings together the G7 group.
“The National Alliance is eager to work and even merge with other like minded parties to ensure greater stability and cohesion in the political arena,” he added.
Uhuru, who appeared to reach out to other presidential candidates in a bid to cool tensions, declared his new presidential vehicle would follow the path of peace and tolerance.
“Our actions in coming days and months must speak louder than the words we utter. Let us not resort to name calling and politics characteristic of previous electioneering seasons,” he added.
promised land
He pointed out that TNA will offer a paradigm shift to the coming polls and appealed to the party members to ensure they are seen to be acting differently.
“The ship sets out today and past the storm we shall sail to the promised land. This, ladies and gentlemen, is not an Uhuru alliance but your alliance,” he added.
Uhuru noted that TNA was a union for the willing adding that it was for those who believe that Kenya can take up its leadership role in Africa as an oasis of peace and prosperity.
“The ingredients of the national cake are enough for every one of us. Let us indulge wisdom in choosing the bakery and the team to do it,” he told the mammoth crowd that had gathered to witness the unveiling of his new party.
He went on to state that time was up for mediocrity and barren promises adding that the pursuit of happiness was not the preserve of a privileged few.
commitment to change
“Let us look forward to a brighter Kenya with unprecedented hope and unwavering commitment to change,” he added.
Uhuru appealed to Kenyans to trust the new party despite past experiences of parties with no ideologies coming and going while others have been hatched and crushed even before the ink had dried on their manifestoes.
“The National Alliance seeks to dispel the belief that politicians are bigger than party ideologies. The new political parties act has taken up its big brother role and any party that pursues an individualistic agenda and personality cults has no future in the Kenya of today,” he added.
He noted that TNA has a firm structure of ideologies rooted in its core believes.
“We are a party that believes in principles of African social justice that are founded on progressive policies and ideologies. We are a party driven by every day desires that Kenyans have,” he added.
Uhuru noted that TNA will offer solutions for the problems Kenyans are facing today as well as emerging challenges of tomorrow adding that they will also seek to dispel the notion that parties are founded with the vision of getting to power.
“We fold our sleeves and get onto the ground to listen to you, to get your feedback and partner in sustainable solutions. There is no greater calling than that which demands of us service to others,’ he added.
Uhuru pointed out that problems bedeviling the country can only be addressed through home grown solutions adding that they will not sit back and wait for imported solutions.
“A nation that is highly dependent on foreign incentives can only grow so much. The national Alliance will lay emphasis on home grown solutions to problems afflicting our nation and the African continent as a whole,” he added.
And the DPM warned that the sovereignty of the country would be safeguarded at all costs pointing out it was core to their belief.
freedom
“We cannot compromise that which is God given for temporary gains. Freedom is never given on a silver platter. It is fought for and earned by those who believe in justice and equality for all,” he added.
Uhuru stated that the new party will be all inclusive in that it will embrace both winners and losers by moving away from the winner takes it all notion.
Contrary to what used to happen in the past where losers would be in the political cold until the next elections the alliance has new ideas of engaging them.
“The party nomination rules will seek to circumvent this problem by ensuring that the losers in the nomination process, having achieved a threshold of votes, would be incorporated at various levels of appointive positions in keeping with their qualifications so that no leader, able and willing to serve the people is excluded,” he added.
He said his new party was of the view that the country must emerge from the coming elections stronger and more united than ever and that they will spare no effort in ensuring this happens.
