Wamalwa eyes Azimio presidential ticket as Raila gears up for AU job

Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa. [Denis Kibuchi, Standard]

The Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa has declared that he will vie for the presidency in the 2027 General Election.

Speaking in Turkana county on Sunday, Wamalwa said he is keen on bagging the Azimio ticket to take on President William Ruto.

"Are you in agreement that I vie for president in 2027? If God allows us, and the people of Turkana allow me, I will go for the top seat and fulfil my brother's dream," he said.

He said his priority will be to change Kenya from a hustler nation to a united nation.

The former Defense Cabinet Secretary was speaking during a funds drive in aid of needy children in Kanamkemer, Turkana Central.

He declared that his key agenda will be to fight corruption and money laundering commonly known as 'wash wash.'

On corruption, he cited a report released last week, indicating that Kenya had been grey-listed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Mr Wamalwa said he wants to fulfil the dream of his brother, the late Kijana Wamalwa of ascending to the presidency.

"We will not accept Kenya to be divided. The country was changed from a Kenyan nation to a hustler nation. Kenya became a nation of shareholders and non-shareholders, and we will reverse that when we get into office - it will be one Kenya, one people, one destiny," he said.

The former Defence Cabinet Secretary accused President Ruto of allegedly running the government through deceit and dishonesty.

He claimed that listing Kenya as a "wash wash" nation was an indicator that the Ruto regime was entertaining money laundering and corruption.

"No investor will invest in a haven of corruption, money laundering and scams that are bedevilling the Kenya Kwanza regime," Wamalwa claimed.

The DAP-K leader warned that the country will not realise meaningful economic growth because it has been held hostage by what he termed as 'wash wash' scammers.

"We must restore the dignity and glory of Kenya. If Kenya is to earn respect in the international community, it must begin with new leaders," he said.

He said Kenya will prosper when its ideals change from "glorification of hustling to honesty."

The former Saboti MP cited Burkina Faso, which was changed from Upper Volta to its current name which means 'the land of honest people' through a directive by then-President Thomas Sankara in 1984.

He promised to strengthen devolution by giving the counties financial autonomy.

"Many crucial services such as health are grinding to a halt because the national government is keeping money meant for devolved functions," he claimed.

"Governors are now crying after knowing that devolution was facing an existential threat from a regime that wants to kill devolution," he claimed.

Wamalwa assured that Azimio will not be weakened if its leader Raila Odinga takes up the African Union chairmanship position.

"Many people are getting worried that Baba (Raila) is exiting the political stage. I want to assure you that Azimio is now stronger than ever," he said.

He said that the opposition leader will influence who becomes Kenya's next president.