PRESS STATEMENT BY BISHOP DR. WASHINGTON OGONYO NGEDE ON PRESIDENTIAL AGE LIMIT.
September 2, 2008.
Politicians should carefully weigh their public political remarks to avoid unnecessary animosity in the country.
Statements like those by the Igembe South MP Mithuka Linturi on the age limit of a presidential candidate are unfortunate and should be rebuked by peace loving Kenyans.
I agree with Fisheries minister Dr Paul Otuoma that the MP’s remarks were mainly targeting PM Raila Odinga for the 2012 general elections.
The Igembe South MP and his likes should realize that leadership comes from God through the Kenyan voters who will give their verdict at the ballot box and will vote in their choice regardless of age factor.
Hon Linturi or any other person who may have the same idea of tabling a Bill in parliament to limit the presidential aspirants to the age of 65 years should know that ordinary but majority Kenyans valued leadership qualities in a person and not his/her age.
It should be clear to all that only poor health can hinder someone to aspire for any leadership post and nothing else and I urge the MP or any other politician to realize that the country was still on a healing process and do not therefore need such destructive statements.
Kenyans still remember that at first some politicians talked of Hon Raila not “ able to lead as he is not circumcised and later said blamed his close relationship with the Muslim fraternity in the countryâ€.
Now that they have been proved wrong on Hon Raila’s leadership capability, they now want to turn to age limit to bar him from contesting the country’s leadership in the next general elections.
Such people should even borrow a leaf from the most established democracies in the World like that of USA where a Presidential Candidate for Republicans John Mcain is over 70 years. Even in Africa here, how many leaders are over 70 years of age? Zambian acting President Rulph Banda will be contesting for the country’s presidency this November at the age of 72.
If Hon Linturi has any other reason he has over his motive, let him tell the public but Kenyans will not allow the age limit argument as the same had been defeated even at the Bomas of Kenya.It should be clear to the MP that such actions cab be resisted with full force by peace loving Kenyans.
Hon. Linturi is used by his political god–fathers and he should know that leaders are being chosen by God and not by constitution. Hon. Raila Odinga has proven to Kenyans that he is a leader with integrity that all loving Citizens of Kenya wants.
Thanks and May God Bless Kenya.
BISHOP DR. WASHINGTON OGONYO NGEDE.H.S.C.
CHAIRMAN, COUNCIL OF CHURCH LEADERS – NYANZA
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Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2008 07:40:22 -0700 (PDT)
From: “Bishop Dr. Washington Ogonyo Ngede”
Subject: PRESS STATEMENT
HON. LINTURI
Age limit for presidential candidates seems to have become a preoccupation of Hon. Linturi for reasons other than democracy and competence. It could not have even been a hint in his mind had it been that Uhuru Kenyatta and Martha Karua were the age of Raila Odinga.
Evil minds achieve nothing just as evil governments tend to destroy themselves. Man may plan but only the plan of the ruler of the univesre will prevails.
Kenyans are choking with tribal bigotry Hon. Linturi. The democracy that YOU are enjoying could not have been possible had the likes of Raila Odinga not fought for it.
Do not forget Hon. Linturi that even the most honurable Kenya’s president could not see how a mugumo tree could have been felled by a razor blade only to jump to power as soon as the freedom fighters had fought successfully in felling KANU!
DR.ODIDA OKUTHE
DID I HEAR YOU WELL PROFESSOR!?
”The times for MPs jumping parties has passed since their doing so does not support democracy!”
Since when good professor did you support democracy OR IS IS IT FROM YESTERDAY?:
1. What are you now going to do in respect to democracy to right the wrong you did in your Kajiado constotuency when you litterally ran with the voting papers to ECK to force them to declare you the winner after losing? Was that a democratic act, if I may ask?
2.What are you doing to release the young democrats who in protest were defending the course of democracy after the elections rigging by PNU on 30th December 2007 if indeed you are a stalwart supporter of democracy?
3.How about the public money which had you implicated in the Goldenburg scandal? What are you now going to do about it now that you are a convert to democracy?
It is pleasing that the word democracy has emanated from your very mouth, dear professor! Help the country democratise with you at the forefront and ensure that what belongs to the country is reinstated to the rightful owners! That is indeed democracy and justice which I think you also need more than anybody else.
The unfairly rich need peace and justice more than the poor since they have apart from their own lives, their property to protect, Professor!
DR. ODIDA OKUTHE.