Kenyan Lawyer PLO Lumumba.
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Renowned Kenyan lawyer PLO Lumumba has said that he will not consider running for presidency in the upcoming general polls since the time is not yet "ripe".
Speaking during an interview with NTV on Monday, May 12, Lumumba said that the country's current political landscape, which he says is ethnically orientated, does not favour his running for president; however, if this changes, he might consider running for the country's top seat in the years to come.
"We are trying and telling Kenyans that we must be wedded to ideas rather than ethnic and clan affiliation. For instance, look at the formations that are now emerging; they are ethnic, because every region is saying that they have their own," he said
"You cannot run a nation that wants to be a member of the East African Community and the African Union on pre-modern, preindustrial instincts, would I? Yes, I would, but is the time ripe? No, it is not, and do we have a duty to make it ripe? Yes, we do," he added.
Former Kenya School of Government Director PLO Lumumba.
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WCPO Cincinatti
According to Lumumba, some senior individuals tried to convince him to run for the presidency in the year 2007, but he declined since he was cognisant that Kenyans would not be interested in a leader like him who is a 'warrior of ideas'.
According to the lawyer, Kenyans should shift from ethnic politics for them to have a leader who has a solid vision to transform the country and elevate it as a top member of the East African Community and the African Union.
However, Lumumba has stressed that people, even those who are not in active politics, should always make efforts and practice their democratic rights, to reinforce
"People don't remember that in 2007, I was asked to run for the seat by somebody who was in a very senior institution where I was giving lectures, but I told them that my understanding of the Kenyan electorate is that they are not interested in individuals like me who believe that they are warriors for ideas," he said.
"It does not mean that we must not participate in the political process because there is a misconception in the country that to change your country, you must be in active politics; not all of us can be," he added.
So far, Several Leaders, including Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, Rigathi Gachagua, Fred Matiang'i, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, former Chief Justice David Maraga, and Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya, have declared their 2027 presidential bid to go head-on against President William Ruto, who has also affirmed that he will contest once more for the country's top seat.
Some leaders, such as the former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i and Salasya, have already launched tours to rally Kenyans to support them during the upcoming polls.
Salasya, who declared his 2027 presidential bid through a statement on Monday, April 28, said that he is set to go to Siaya county starting in June to popularise his presidential bid.
Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya.
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Peter Salasya
