Kalonzo sells his brand to voters abroad

By VPPS

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has kicked off his tour of the US, where he will be meeting Kenyans in the Diaspora to drum up support for his presidential bid.

He met Kenyans living in Boston and declared he was seeking the presidency to unite the country, lead the fight against corruption and expand the economy.

The Vice-President said the next regime would involve Kenyans living and working abroad in key decision-making organs because of the critical role they play in boosting the nation’s economy through remittances topping $1 billion.

The VP at the same time praised Kenyans abroad, saying they had been at the forefront in the agitation for more civil liberties, which have now been realised through the enactment of a new Constitution.

“You work hard to remit billions of shillings home. It is important now that the next Government, which I hope to lead, will tap your ideas, creativity and innovation to propel the country forward,” he said. Kalonzo plans to visit Texas, Atlanta, Minneapolis and Washington DC.

MPs Elias Mbau, Yusuf Hassan and Philip Kaloki, who acknowledged Kenya’s history was replete with mistakes but also full of successes, have accompanied the VP. Also present was Kenya’s Ambassador to the United States Elkana Odembo.
“We know and acknowledge our past – the good and the bad. We seek leadership so as to correct mistakes of the past and build on the successes,” Kalonzo said.

The Vice-President told the Kenyans that key institutions critical to the implementation of the new Constitution have been established, paving the way for realisation of the new order.

Kenya, Kalonzo said, was a young nation with 65 per cent of its population classified as youth, adding wealth and job creation should be the priority of the next administration.

He, however, added that for economic prosperity to take root and in order to take advantage of the benefits of regional integration, peace was necessary in East and the Horn of Africa.

Sudan conflict
“We are therefore concerned at what is happening between Sudan and South Sudan and urge them to give peace a chance to safeguard the comprehensive peace agreement,” said Kalonzo.

He said he was passionate about national healing, reconciliation and integration because the country could not develop if negative ethnicity was allowed to thrive.

“I have worked for peace in other countries and doing so at home is now my personal mission,” he added.

Mbau said for Kenya to realise Vision 2030, there was need for sobriety, continuity and focus in the next leadership. The Kenyans abroad pledged to support the country as it seeks reforms.

“We are now ready to work hand in hand with our brothers and sisters back home and we hope the leadership will create an enabling environment for business to thrive,” said Joseph Odhiambo, a Kenyan businessman in Boston.