Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has announced his 2022 presidential bid, affirming that his platform would be geared towards strengthening devolutions.
After years of staying mum over a possible run at the presidency, Governor Kibwana has finally confirmed and expressed interest for the top seat in the 2022 elections.
The Governor through a statement on his social media on June 26, stated that he had decided to run following numerous calls to join the race.
"I have listened to the voice of Wanjiku asking me to run for the presidency in the coming election. I am available, ready, and willing to be Wanjiku's (common mwananchi's) President. Will go all the way to the ballot box with 'Wanjiku' in 2022.
He stated that his vying will be geared towards ensuring devolution works for all communities.
Kivutha now joins a number of governors who've expressed their interest in the presidential seat including Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, and Wycliffe Oparanyah (Kakamega).
He will face off against Deputy President William Ruto who has made intentions about the presidency clear.
During a 2019 interview, the governor was cagey about the prospects of running for the presidency noting that there was still much to be done in the country's leadership system before he stood an actual shot at the top seat.
"In many parts of the country that I have gone to, people asked me to vie for presidency in 2022. I cannot take these genuine calls for granted, but in the past, many progressive individuals who hastily stepped into the presidential ring failed to capture Kenyans' imaginations," Kivutha stated.
He took the case of leaders such as James Orengo, Paul Muite, Martha Karua, James Ole Kiyiapi and Peter Kenneth who he stated did not have adequate campaign funds, multi-ethnic networks, support of the systems and attention of the grassroots voter as the biggest impediment to their bids.
"We should change the laws to make political parties to be based on real ideology and vision and regulate campaign financing so that we don't just buy physical election victory," he explained.
