•Karua said as the country approaches the polls, Kenyans should be able to determine which leaders had the history and commitment to service to the country.
•She opined that Kenyans should vote for leaders who have the capacity to deliver and serve Kenyans with dignity.
Image: MATHEWS NDANYI
Azimio deputy presidential candidate Martha Karua says tribe should not be a factor in the forthcoming August 9, elections.
She opined that Kenyans should vote for leaders who have the capacity to deliver and serve Kenyans with dignity.
Karua said as the country approaches the polls, Kenyans should be able to determine which leaders had the history and commitment to service to the country.
"We are all children of one house called Kenya and competition like in politics should not cause disunity," Karua said.
Karua spoke when she addressed a well-attended rally at Huruma grounds in Eldoret where she received a rousing welcome.
She used the platform to sell the Azimio agenda for the country if Raila Odinga wins the presidency.
Karua said Odinga was the only leader among those vying for the presidency who has a serious commitment to fighting graft and transforming the country’s economy.
“Our captain has made a commitment to implement all that he has promised if elected”, Karua said.
She listed the promises including the fight against corruption, Baba care, free education, one industry per county and special care for single mothers.
Karua received a grand welcome when she arrived in Eldoret as Azimio leaders used more than 50 cars to escort her to Eldoret town.
She surprised many when she abandoned her vehicles and campaigned on foot through the streets of Eldoret.
Karua walked for more than three kilometres waving to residents and urging them to vote for Azimio on August 9th.
Karua was with nominated MP Maina Kamanda, Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, Governor Alex Tolgos, CAS Beatrice Elachi and Chebii Kilimo, Reuben Ndolo and Azimio aspirants in the region among other leaders.
Earlier Karua called on residents of Rift Valley and Kenyans to keep peace and unity ahead of the polls.
Karua said the political competition is not enmity and Kenyans should prepare to participate in the polls while ensuring the country remains peaceful.
She was speaking at the Ayub Kinyua PCEA church in Eldoret where she attended a church service ahead of campaign rallies in the region.
Speaking on the mitumba debate Dr Kituyi said Azimio and Odinga were more interested in the welfare of mitumba traders and not mitumba clothes.
“That is why Odinga said he would uplift the lives of mitumba traders through locally manufactured affordable clothes to be sold to Kenyans. Those misinterpreting what he said have no capacity to understand”, Dr Kituyi said at the rally.
He said he has visited all parts of the country but he did not encounter Kenyans who think UDA presidential running mate Rigathi Gachagua can make a future president.
He said Ruto's decision to pick Gachagua as his running mate was a mistake that exposed his weakness as a leader who can not be entrusted with power.
"Back home in Bukusu land we have a saying that a dying cow does not hide its private parts," Kituyi said.
Former Minister Dr Sally Kosgey said Rift Valley was not anyone's stronghold and that many residents believed in the capacity of Odinga to take Kenya to a higher level of development.
She also noted that God had used Odinga to remember the plight of women in the county through the appointment of Karua as running mate.
Dr Kosgey said Karua had a unique standing in the Kenya society because of her level-headed leadership and integrity.
"She is a firm and fair woman who all Kenyans respect," Dr Kosgey said.