Mudavadi's Promise to Kenyans as he Joined UDF Party

I want to thank you all for the goodwill you have offered to me over the
recent past when all attention was on our political situation and scrutiny
was reserved for the course it might take.

A week ago, I announced that I will be in a new political home to realize
my presidential ambitions come today. As I actualize that resolve, I wish
to briefly look back to my friends and colleagues in ODM. I sincerely thank
you for the journey we took together over the past seven years.

I want to particularly thank the many ODM branch officials across the 42
Counties, some of whom are here, for the enthusiasm and unforgettable
warmth when I visited. We sat with you for hours and you all helped me
understand the immensity of the challenges facing our nation; and the
unique opportunities we have to help save our country from the politics of
polarization and intrigue. I walk with encouragement as I take the next
step in my service to our great nation.


Some few months ago, I had indicated that I have crossed the Rubicon in my
belief that we needed to advance a new course of democratic principles and
practices in Kenya. I have said and repeat that internal democracy in
political parties is as important as the practice of democratic governance
is in government. You know what to expect of your government if your party
of choice is ready and willing to practice internal democracy.

As a country, we have been stuck in the turbulence of polarization at every
electoral circle.  In my tour of our counties, Kenyans were fearful of what
might become another frightful experience of the 2007 elections.

I promised these Kenyans a democratic train with 47 bogies that will unite
Kenyans; bring peace and unity, ensure tolerance and reconciliation; be
inclusive against tribalism and the politics that have resulted in cyclic
ethnic polarization of our country.

We all agreed Kenya belongs to all of us. In the 42 counties I have been
to, Kenyans urged me to be different; to reach out to all Kenyans. They
desire unity of purpose; they detest politics of isolation.  I, Musalia,
will therefore work with everyone, and every Kenyan of goodwill to bring
stability of livelihoods and security of persons and property.

In my consultations, I have reflected a lot and have deliberately avoided
considering a party with regional or ethnic brand recognition. I have
sought to identify with a party and leaders whose pursuits are consistent
with my aspirations for a country governed by the rule of law; committed to
uniting all Kenyans; and who are sensitive to the need to end
marginalization and exclusion.

My trail led me to a party and a team; patriotic enough to capture the
national imagination; ambitious enough to reignite the appetites of real
change crusaders; youthful and radiant enough to detain the gaze of our
younger generations; and fresh enough to allow for a bust of new energy in
our body politic.

I have walked the last mile to this democratic train.



I, Musalia Mudavadi, wish to announce that I will be offering myself as a
candidate for the office of president of the republic of Kenya on the
ticket of The United Democratic Forum Party (UDF) at the next elections.

I therefore urge Kenyans to board the United Democratic Forum Party train
with me.

UDF espouse the principles of internal democracy and devolution that I
stand for. The UDF… philosophy is grounded in its motto; Unity for
Prosperity… which signals a new dawn for Kenya.

The new dawn under a UDF … anchor signals a change in the way we have
managed our public affairs. UDF… is and will remain a national party and
institution. UDF… is not a party of particular individuals, community,
ethnic group or class of people.

UDF… will not be a weapon of terror.

The UDF … symbol is a clasped hand in supplication…. It is the universal
and eternal symbolic hand of peace, solidarity and unity. We are and
remain non-vindictive, hate no one but love and welcome everyone. We stretch the hand of peace to
all Kenyans.

*Sisi tutajenga kuta ambazo zime bomoka*

We will focus on issues.

We will tell you how by restructuring agriculture, eggs produced in Kenya
should not be more expensive than imported eggs from Israel, and therefore
how we will create a minimum of 1.5 million jobs for our young people within
my term in office within a certain period.

In education, we will not complain about the high dropout rate at secondary
level. We will tell how to stop the haemorrhage of young talents,
ensuring that all pupils acquire secondary education and technical skills
through equipping 1,000 youth polytechnics.

We will of course show you how we will assist small and medium enterprises,
the *jua kali*, to create hundreds millions of jobs in a given period of
time.

We will not be in the business of appropriating for ourselves the
Constitution. UDF is committed to implementing the spirit and letter of the
Constitution as desired and mandated by Kenyans.  We stand for accountable
and transparent systems and institutions in Kenya.

These are only examples of the components of our policy outlines that will
cover the economy, infrastructure development, health, security, ICT,
energy, regional and international engagements, among others.

Even as I applied myself to the challenges of making a new home, I have
deeply reflected on the positions I hold in the party and in government on
behalf of Kenyans. I have resolved this way;

That I have resigned as the ODM Deputy Party  Leader.

When we created the coalition government four positions were written into
the National Accord whose holders could only be removed by resignation,
ill-health, Parliament, a court of law or the collapse of the coalition
government. These positions include the Office of the Deputy Prime
Minister. Ministerial responsibilities are national in nature and are an
exclusive preserve of the appointing authority.

Having consulted with the appointing authority, I have tendered my
resignation as Minister for Local Government.

I will, however, continue to serve as Deputy Prime Minister and Member of
Parliament for Sabatia Constituency.

Over the coming days, I will be embarking upon a journey to your homes and
your souls. I will bring to you my vision of this great country and offer
the comprehensive programmes on the basis of which I wish to be gifted with
the privilege of serving as your president. The first step on this road
will be a National Rally we will hold at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru this
Sunday, 6th May 2012.

*May I thank all Kenyans for their support. Thank you for your generous
attention. God bless Kenya and its proud, hardworking citizens.*