Peter Kenneth Courts Diaspora Support on US Tour

Peter Kenneth, 2012 Kenya Presidential Candidate

Baltimore, Maryland - Kenya National Congress (KNC) presidential candidate Peter Kenneth challenged Kenyans in the Diaspora to be the driving force behind transforming the country into what he termed - a ‘brighter Kenya’- as outlined in his vision for the country.

The Gatanga MP was speaking Monday evening to supporters at All Nations Gospel Church in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Signifying a break from the past, he said, the next election will be an issue-based election where personality, name and fame will not count. He encouraged the Diaspora to play an active role – not just through remittances and voting, but by influencing family and relatives back at home, and through investment.

Mr. Kenneth reiterated he ascribes a high premium on Kenyans abroad, and will embrace every opportunity to visit Kenyans all over the world to articulate his vision for the country. ‘Business ambassadors’ – as he calls them – the Kenyan Diaspora are an invaluable asset to the Kenya he envisions, and unlike previous administrations, he will give them attention, respect and the recognition they deserve.

For the sake of election integrity, Mr. Kenneth is opposed to using embassies as polling stations because embassy staff – including ambassadors, serve sitting governments. He added that it’s unreasonable to expect people to travel thousands of miles away to vote in Washington, DC, New York, or Los Angeles consulate.

If Kenyans living abroad are not allowed to vote – as provided for in the new constitution, Mr. Kenneth is ready to seek redress in court.

He diffused rumors that he will throw his support behind a leading presidential candidate he did not name. ‘I am in the race to win. I want to work for Kenya, and will not work for anybody else other than Kenya’, he added.

Mr. Kenneth flaunted his stellar development record in Gatanga constituency, a distinguishing attribute he said other presidential candidates lack.

A parliamentary aspirant and the proprietor of the East Africa Radio (USA) Denzel Musumba announced he will vie for the Teso South parliamentary seat on Kenneth’s KNC ticket.

There was a light moment when one participant asked what Mr. Kenneth’s presidency will do for men in Central Province he termed as ‘an endangered species’. He was making reference to recent media reports that underscored abuse of men by women in parts of central province.

Over the weekend, Mr. Kenneth was in Las Vegas, Nevada, to support the Kenya Rugby team, and meet with Kenyans at the USA Sevens Rugby Tournament. The Kenyan team lost to Samoa – the eventual series champions – in the semi finals stage.

By Amos Wasike. Wasike is an educator, photojournalist and a freelance journalist based in Baltimore, Maryland.