Former Minister Joe Nyagah to Vie as Independent Presidential Candidate in August Election

by Rogers Omondi on Tuesday, 21 August 2018 - 7:25 pm

President Uhuru Kenyatta's advisor on regional integration and former Cabinet Minister Mr Joseph Nyaga over the weekend surprised many after he secured an independent presidential candidate certificate.

Mr Nyaga resigned as a Presidential advisor on Wednesday obtained clearances from the Registrar of Political Parties the same afternoon and the presidential candidate certificates from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission on Thursday.

While speaking to the media over the weekend, the former minister stated that some things had gone wrong in the primaries on both sides of the political divide, and he was acting on behalf of those who think the unprecedented high number of disputes and independent candidates was a sign of something deeply flawed in the process

“I am an experienced politician and I have never seen anything like the high numbers of disputes and independent candidates. Independent candidates have their place, but when they are so many?

“Majority from Western Kenya, Central Kenya to the Coast who have serious and valid grievances will be elected. My question is who speaks for these people?" Nyagah stated.

While addressing questions on why he was contesting against his former boss President Kenyatta, the experienced politician stated that he had no mallice against the Head of State and was just vying to help sort issues facing Kenyans although many people might not understand him.

“I am sure that like Mr Koigi Wamwere (who defected to NASA), I will be initially misunderstood, and I am prepared for that. But in the end people, especially my people from Mt Kenya region will understand and appreciate what I am doing," he stated.

It is not the first time Mr Nyaga is pulling political moves that seem to go against the political tide in Central Kenya as in 2007, he joined Opposition leader Raila Odinga in the Pentagon and formed part of the Grand Coalition Government as Minister of Cooperative Development.

The former advisor on regional integration will now face off with President Kenyatta, Mr Odinga and Finance and Economic development expert Mr Pete Ondeng' who have announced their desire to vie for the presidential seat.