With the clock ticking away, Amani presidential candidate Mr Musalia Mudavadi closed the weekend by launching his coalition manifesto in Nairobi.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who is Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) flag-bearer and his running mate and Vice President Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, revisited the controversial land issue while campaigning at the volatile Coastal belt, where the matter is a political hot potato.
The two vowed they would not stay off the controversial issue of land as it was, they argued, too critical and a matter of national interest over which they would accept to be gagged. The CORD leaders vowed that they would not stop talking about historical injustices that have been meted out to Coastal communities, arguing it was difficult not to discuss the land issue which is the root cause of the suffering in the region.
Raila conceded it was difficult to visit Coast Province and refuse to talk about land injustices that affect locals, adding that it was the centre of development and their livelihood.
Jubilee coalition presidential flag-bearer Mr Uhuru Kenyatta and his running mate Mr William Ruto once again criticised the US and European countries over their recent warnings of conditional or limited contact with government if The Hague suspects were elected.
Speaking in Nandi County, they singled out statement by US Assistant Secretary of State Mr Johnnie Carson warning Kenyans there would be consequences for the choices they make in the ballot.
While Uhuru told the Western countries to leave Kenyans alone to decide whom they wanted to elect, Ruto claimed the foreign states should come clean and say they were supporting Raila in the polls. However, virtually all the States in question have declared on record they have no preferred candidate in the Kenyan elections.
Unrealistic manifestos
Uhuru explained they respect International Criminal Court and promised they would honour the summons that have been directed at them to appear for crimes against humanity charges at The Hague. This would be regardless of whether they are elected into office or not. Therefore, they argued, there was no need for them to be “threatened”.
At Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Mudavadi alongside his running mate Jeremiah Kioni and Kanu chairman Gideon Moi, rolled out his plans for Kenya if elected President.
Mudavadi accompanied by his wife Tessy declared if elected, free education would be State-funded up to secondary level.
Mudavadi further disclosed that if he won, his government would ensure the elderly who are 70 years and above, who would receive a monthly stipend of Sh5,000 and free medical health care.
Mudavadi hit out at other presidential candidates, saying they had unveiled manifestos that were unrealistic since they never stated where they intended to get finance to fund their programmes.
In reference to the ICC cases, he said development partners cannot be wished away and appealed to Kenyans to make informed choices. -Standard Media
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