KARUA TAKES CAMPAIGN TO UHURU KENYATTA'S TUFF

The Standard
Nairobi, Kenya
September 22, 2008

By Wairimu Kamande

Justice Minister Martha Karua says critics will not deter her ambitions to run for the presidency.

Ms Karua said the presidency was not a preserve of a few.

She said central Kenya politicians expecting to inherit the seat were doomed to fail.

Karua, who took her presidential campaign to Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta’s door step in Thika, told those opposed to her candidacy that any suitable Kenyan was free to run for top the office.

"Leadership cannot be inherited and those waiting for ‘daddy’ to leave them presidency in 2012 are mistaken," she said.

Speaking at a Narc-Kenya rally and official opening of the party’s Thika office, Karua claimed those opposed to her bid were ‘projects’ waiting to inherit the presidency once Kibaki retires in 2012.

Uhuru tour

Interestingly, Uhuru will be accompanying Nairobi Metropolitan Minister Mutula Kilonzo this morning on a tour of Thika District.

Others expected at the function include Assistant Minister Peter Kenneth, Juja MP George Thuo and Gatundu North MP Clement Waibara.

Karua told a crowd at Thika stadium that the presidency was based on an individual’s competence.

She also dismissed those saying another Kikuyu should not be president.

"I won’t relent in my campaign since it is time leadership went to ordinary Kenyans. Those saying that another Kikuyu should not lead are also mistaken," said she.

Karua likened PNU to a co-operative society that could enroll individual members, adding that Narc-Kenya would not be forced to join the party. She said her party would press on with its national membership recruitment drive to meet the Political Parties’ Act.

The Act requires parties to have at least 200 members in each district before January 2009.

"There is no way a 3-year-old party can be forced to join a 5 month one. Narc-Kenya will remain independent and continue with the recruitment drive. Come 2012, we will also field candidates at all levels," she said. She, however, pledged to support Kibaki throughout his term.

She was accompanied by Baringo East MP Asnan Kamama, former Juja MPs William Kabogo and Stephen Ndichu and delegates from Embu, Machakos, Laikipia, Turkana and Samburu.