Karua Unveils Presidential Bid

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Mosoku Geoffrey

28 April 2011

Gichugu MP Martha Karua has promised to transform the country into a social welfare state if elected President.

“We all have been shaped by our experiences. For me it was growing in rural kirinyaga where the twin goals of social justice and rule of law began taking root in my conscious,” she said.

Speaking yesterday when she officially launched her presidential bid, the Narc-Kenya boss said that she was greatly inspired by her childhood experiences.

She said the fight against corruption, poverty, unemployment and bad governance will be top of her agenda.

Karua said her experiences of a social society where the community shared the little resources have shaped her world.

“From an early age, it became clear to me that no single individual or homestead was fully self-sufficient. Neighbours were not shy to borrow salt to season their food, or a jembe to cultivate the land,”

“Hands were joined to support the elderly and the widowed, food was shared with visitors and strangers alike. Resources were pooled to send the bright children to school.”

The former Justice minister, who was joined by family and friends at the Louis Leakey auditorium of the Kenya National Museums in Nairobi, declared that her journey to State House is unstoppable.

“It is for this reason, duty to country and passion to see a greater Kenya that I formally declare to you my intention to seek the presidency of this country,” Karua declared amid ululations and cheers from the crowd.

She said it is hard to run for presidency in Africa and even harder for woman. She nevertheless vowed to soldier on.

“I however take heart in recognizing that women are the backbone of a home and society. They say educate a girl and you have educated the village, I say elect a woman to be president and see what commitment to the country and citizenry look like,” she declared.

Karua, who was once a die-hard Kibaki ally, tore into the current regime saying it has failed Kenyans due to poor planning and policies.

karua said Kenya is a country that ought to be self-reliant in food production but added that it is a pity that the country still continues to rely on food imports.

“Malawi Has done it, why cant Kenya be self-reliant instead of importing food every other year. This is due to poor policies,” she said.

The Gichugu MP, who was joined by her parents, said food security is key to economic development for any country.

Her government, if elected, karua says will strive to uphold the rule of law which will translate into good governance as a formula of enabling the country get value for her money.

“Meaning we get more kilometres of road, more litres of water, more kilowatts of electricity,” she added.

Garsen MP Danson Mungatana was the only fellow MP and high profile guest present during the event.

Karua announced that her campaign will move to the villages, town halls and social media .

The campaign team has come up with a slogan “Twajitokeza, Martha Karua 2012′ .

“In twitter, facebook, myspace, we will be appealing and interacting with you as we stand out and speak,” she declared.

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