Kibaki's pledge

President Kibaki yesterday launched his re-election campaign at a jam-packed Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi and he hinted that the General Election could be held in two months.

He said this year’s elections will be about issues and not about slogans, insults and empty promises.

The colourful event also doubled  as the launch of the Party of National Unity (PNU), the President’s re-election vehicle. It brought together tens of thousands of supporters and leaders of the parties which make up the alliance supporting President Kibaki’s re-election.

The President asked Kenyans to vote for PNU, to engage in peaceful campaigns and to shun tribalism, hatred and violence.

“Lets vote for PNU. This party will unite us,” he said.

Improve welfare

“It (election) is about sound, wise and proven management of public affairs that will improve the welfare of all our people and create wealth in our beloved country.”

He pledged to continue with ongoing development programmes, citing successes such as free primary education and a growing economy. He promised free secondary education starting next year and a better life for Kenyans if re-elected and that no area of Kenya would be sidelined.

The 30,000 seat stadium was filled to capacity with supporters wearing the colours of PNU’s affiliate parties. Wananchi began converging at the stadium as early as 7am.

Women belonging to the “Ua la Kibaki” group stood out in their light blue skirt suits and matching hats.

The President’s supporters — dressed in T-shirts and caps bearing pro-Kibaki slogans — waved thousands of pro-Kibaki fliers and carried banners bearing the PNU colours, symbol and slogans. 

A helicopter flying a banner with the writings ‘‘Kibaki Tena, Kazi Iendelee, PNU” started flying over the stadium at 11.25am and continued doing the rounds until 2.40pm when the President arrived after a tour of the city’s populous Eastlands suburbs. 

He also attended Holy Mass at Holy Family Basilica in the morning.

100 vehicles

In a convoy of more than 100 vehicles, President Kibaki accompanied by First Lady Lucy, started the journey around Nairobi at about 1pm after lunch at Hotel Intercontinental. 

He drove through Starehe, Kamukunji and Makadara constituencies accompanied by Vice-President Moody Awori, several ministers and the Leader of the Official Opposition, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, who is supporting the President for a final term.

Various leaders who took to the podium before the President criticised his main challenger, ODM presidential candidate Raila Odinga.

Speaker after speaker, including Roads minister and Ford People leader Simeon Nyachae, former Mombasa Mayor Taib Ali Taib and Lang’ata parliamentary aspirant Stanley Livondo used their turns at the microphone to criticise Mr Odinga, also the MP for Lang’ata. On Friday, Steadman released an opinion poll showing that Mr Odinga was ahead of President Kibaki by nine percentage points. 

The MP had scored 47 per cent against the President’s 38 per cent in popularity ratings.

But yesterday, Mr Kibaki said he was not afraid and expressed confidence that he would win the elections.

He said party supporters who will have difficulties identifying the party’s symbol on ballot papers should seek for help from their friends who can read and write. 

Unveiling the new PNU logo of two flaming torches, the President said the single torch that symbolised Narc in 2002 was a torch of light and hope, while the two PNU torches represented progress and unity of purpose.

Competitive hub

In a speech circulated to the Press by PPS but which the President did not read, he said the parties in PNU were determined to transform Kenya into Africa’s most competitive regional hub for manufacturing and services. The Government would also double investment in infrastructure, build world-class networks of roads, railways, airports and seaports, power and communications, and water supply over the next five years.  

The party would also aim to grow the economy to double its current size in five years and ensure security by expanding the police force and providing it with adequate transport and equipment. 

He urged the public to use today’s statement as a basis of what to tell Kenyans when they tour the country and travel around their constituencies in search of votes for PNU.  

“Tell the people of Kenya the truth, that Kenya is better than it was five years ago, and will be far better off five years from now under PNU,” he said.

The launch of the President’s campaign now sets the ball rolling for the Head of State’s team who have to play catch-up with ODM and ODM-Kenya. The two opposition parties have already hit the campaign trail.