The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi has stepped down from his post in order to join the presidential race in 2022.
Kituyi served in the UN post for over 7 years after being appointed as the UNCTAD boss in September 2013, before being re-elected for another 4-year-term in July 2017.
The former minister had previously expressed interest in the top seat arguing that he has what it takes to compete against the top political class in the country.
"I am ready to serve the country owing to my international experience.
"It is no longer a secret. I will be going for the presidency in 2022. Nobody should tell us who to support. We need a president who will save this country and Kenyans from a bad economy," Kituyi stated in a past interview.
The former UNCTAD boss now joins the likes of Deputy President William Ruto and Amani National Congress (ANC) Party leader Musalia Mudavadi who have also expressed interest in the top seat.
The 65-year-old was initially linked to Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana in what netizens termed as a dream team. They expressed desire for the two to join and vie for the top seat in 2022.
Furthermore, a section of other Kenyans speculated that Kituyi would be the ideal candidate if he was endorsed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.
Kituyi, considered a talented technocrat, has previously served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kenya Institute of Governance and the Minister for Trade and Industry for 5 years under former President Mwai Kibaki's regime.
During Kibaki's reign, he also chaired the Council of Ministers of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the African Trade Ministers' Council for two years.
The politician, from 2008 to 2012, was part of a team of experts who advised the presidents of the nations of the East African Community (EAC) on effective ways of establishing trade links within the regions.
