The TNA party launch
Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta has signalled his determination to contest the presidency despite the International Criminal Court indictments with the glittering launch of his new party, The National Alliance.

The festivities at the Kenyatta International Conference centre were mirrored with parallel events at six major towns.

In addition, it was beamed live on television and the Internet, together with running text commentary on Facebook and Twitter.

Mr Kenyatta’s speech (http://www.nation.co.ke/blob/view/-/1409764/data/362032/-/nd85qi/-/speech.pdf) did not refer directly to his impending trial at The Hague alongside G7 alliance partner William Ruto, former public service head Francis Muthaura and radio presenter Joshua Sang.

However, it made a strong pitch for safeguarding national sovereignty, a key clarion call for those opposed to the International Criminal Court proceedings.
“The answer to true nationhood lies not in revenge or tribal animosity but in justice being our shield and defender,” Mr Kenyatta said.

The launch of TNA was graced by dozens of Cabinet ministers, MPs and other politicians who loosely make up the alliance against Prime Minister Raila Odinga. (SEE IN PICTURES: Uhuru party launch (http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/1409586/-/yeivagz/-/index.html))

The list included key G7 stalwart such as Mr Ruto, the Eldoret North MP, as well as Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa who, significantly, was the only guest to address the gathering.

Mr Wamalwa started by clarifying that he too is seeking the presidency on the New Ford Kenya party ticket and was there as a friend of Mr Kenyatta and TNA.

His prepared speech, littered with the “I believe” clarion of TNA, buttressed reports that he is Mr Kenyatta’s most likely running mate.

Notable absentees included Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, who is out of the country (http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/VP+asks+leaders+to+sign+polls+pledge+/-/1064/1410048/-/gklietz/-/index.html), and Mr Kenyatta’s fellow DPM, Mr Musalia Mudavadi, who had his own political engagement in Mombasa. (http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/-/1064/1410056/-/9c5hgv/-/index.html)

Mr Kenyatta’s political camp is believed to have encouraged Mr Mudavadi to rebel against Mr Odinga and storm out of ODM to launch his own presidential bid on the United Democratic Forum ticket.
Since then, however, Mr Kenyatta’s allies have been openly repudiating the notion that their pointman in western Kenya is Mr Mudavadi.

He, however, said his party will work closely or even merge with other political parties who shared the same ideals for the good of the country.



“Our sovereignty is core to our beliefs and safeguarding it will be paramount if we are to gain respect and influence. Freedom is never given on a silver platter. It is fought for and earned.

Every year, as we honour the men and women who loved this country so much to have laid down their lives for it, we must task the government of the day with the duty of safeguarding this freedom”.

Mr Kenyatta also alluded to the preference for a home-grown reconciliation and healing process.
On Sunday, Mr Kenyatta told Kenyans that the destiny of the country now lies in their hands.

“The TNA government will go where you want it to go...but it will be responsible for its actions,” he said.

Mr Kenyatta assured those who will lose out in the party nominations that they will be given other leadership roles.

Both Mr Kenyatta and Mr Wamalwa emphasised the promotion of youth in their respective speeches.

“Young people in Kenya can steer this country to the next level,” Mr Wamalwa said.

He said the party’s chairman, 28-year-old Johnson Sakaja, was a good example of what young people can do if given the opportunities.
Source: http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/Pomp+and+colour+at+Uhuru+party+launch+/-/1064/1410060/-/item/1/-/lgri7e/-/index.html

Why do I have a sense of déjà vu listening to this guy talk? There is nothing new in the content IMO. Just another Obama wannabe :? Party was great though :applause:
What do you think?

They took some Obama; MLK speeches without acknowledging, smh!

Financial muscle also is key.

^^:yes:"iBelieve" :) any billionaire around town is capable of organizing an event that big.

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Eugene Wamalwa gave good speeches during the launch of The National Alliance party. In Mombasa, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his deputy Musalia Mudavadi held parallel rallies and, like Uhuru in Nairobi, promised to do many things if elected president.

It is however surprising that on such an important occasion as launching of a new party, Uhuru failed to come out clearly on the two most important issues today – jobs and housing. Uhuru did not tell the country how many jobs his government will create for Kenyans. He talked a lot about the youth but he did not tell them how he will create jobs for them.

Kenyans below 45 constitute more than 70 per cent of the population. Of this figure, more than 60 per cent are victims of open involuntary unemployment. This nation must find a way of creating more than one million quality jobs a year. Failure to do so might lead to violent protests after the next general election. TNA failed to address itself adequately to the plight of farmers. Like it was noted at the World Economic Forum-Africa in South Africa, most farmers operate small plots, so the best way to create sustainable income is to organise them into value-adding co-operative societies. This would integrate them into the value-chain.

TNA did not even mention anything to do with housing. There is a compelling need for the government to directly intervene in the housing sector to free the middle class from rental expenses and build savings for investment. The Kibaki administration is already doing it but only for civil servants using the tenant-purchase scheme whereby you move into a house and pay rent as mortgage so that as a tenant you will end up owning the house upon completion of the mortgage. This scheme should be expanded to accommodate all citizens.
TNA failed to expound on industrialisation. Organised groups like “chamas” should be encouraged to start small industries by government guaranteeing cost of importing machinery. Banks financing importation of machinery for the groups should obtain security guarantees from the Treasury on behalf of the organised groups that should deposit savings into the banks. That is how the Africans in Kenya will eventually industrialise.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the government operated the Import Substitution Scheme that benefited Asians mainly because Africans did not have money. That is why most industries in Kenya are virtually owned by Indo-Pakistanis. Uhuru should intervene in the issue of Kenya Planters Cooperative Union to stop it going down the drain.

Source: http://www.the-star.co.ke/opinions/others/76812-what-uhurus-tna-launch-failed-to-capture

NOT

"Does he believe in the new constitution (Ref. political party's act)? Does he believe in social justice (equitable distribution of resources ie land)? Does he believe in integrity in so far as party hopping is concerned? Does he believe in glaring computer errors in our budget? Does he believe in revenge mission in defence of "his people'? What exactly does this guy believe in ?" By GYAVIRA TYEMERI

"Uhuru has blatantly disregarded our new constitution on several occasions. He has fidgeted financial budget numbers and we were never told the real truth. He has only stood for one ethnic nation - Kikuyu. His family has contributed the most to past injustices in this country. He is now accused with crimes against humanity. I don't know what Uhuru believes in as his political philosophy. He has been against devolution, playing around with this legislation to retain status quo -strong central government. He has never uttered a word against corruption and tribalism, unless one is against his people. My fellow citizens, if it is not for ethinicity, there are no credible credentials for this Uhuru. One can only support him for ethnic interests, being one of their own. For me, I belong to his own, but I DONT BELIEVE in Uhuru. Will he complete required implementation of the constitution he has devoured at each occassion, hell no. It is time to be TRUE PATRIOTS of Kenya, and make decisions for Kenya. For how long shall we wait for motherland ??? Time is running out, my dear Kenyans." By National Trust

"Only time will tell,birds of the same feather flock together." Lets re-group in a new shelter then confuse kenyan's and before they realized, one of us will be occupying the house in the tophill" Thats the G7 prayers day inn day out." By Kadhai


"Belief without rebooting the mindset to embrace change is an exercise in semantic laundering. You know TNA may as well mean Total Non-Action or This is Not Applicable or worse still Trial Ndiyo Anaenda." By Kumekucha Commentator

Another party?:doh:

At first I thought this guy would hook up with Ruto or Mudavadi.

Let's see how it will go.:)

It is scary listening to these people refer to themselves as the "youth". What does that make those of us who were born in the Moi era?-Toddlers? And the likes of jamaax, and other younger forumers would be what now? This Kenya of ours is strange indeed.

It is scary listening to these people refer to themselves as the "youth". What does that make those of us who were born in the Moi era?-Toddlers? And the likes of jamaax, and other younger forumers would be what now? This Kenya of ours is strange indeed.
+1
Uhuru is 51 he is closer to Raila,who is 66, than he is to Sonko at 35. The believers are being taken for a cheap ride.

Another party?:doh:

At first I thought this guy would hook up with Ruto or Mudavadi.

Let's see how it will go.:)
Ruto was there but did not say a word, Eugene did. That alone has sent jitters among URP loyalists.

+1
Uhuru is 51 he is closer to Raila,who is 66, than he is to Sonko at 35. The believer are being taken for a cheap ride.

He is young as far as presidency is concerned.He has been eligible for only 15years of his life.

I guess that is acceptable since logic is dead in Kenyan politics. In that case why wouldn't I just go for Ruto who is 48 and has been eligible for what just 5 years??? Or Raila who spent sometime in detention???? :nuts: Uhuru should drop that age thing. He is not young, period!

I guess that is acceptable since logic is dead in Kenyan politics. In that case why wouldn't I just go for Ruto who is 48 and has been eligible for what just 5 years??? Or Raila who spent sometime in detention???? :nuts: Uhuru should drop that age thing. He is not young, period!


Nobody is preventing you from voting for either,when Obama was campaigning there was the youth element all over and he is neither Kenyan nor a toddler so there is nothing Kenyan in the logic.

Yeah Obama was 47 and he was being compared to Mccain who was 72 at that time. Now, even Obama (51) knows he can't run on the age factor against Romney (65). That's why he's dropped it. Uhuru is only using the age thing to spite Raila. He is not the youngest in the race. If Kenyans are to vote in a president based purely on age then he'll lose in the morning with Raila, Kalonzo, and Musalia.

All these politicians are just playing people as usual.Coming up with new major political parties in every election period.:ohno:

I don't understand why Uhuru had to come up with a new party, leaving PNU and KANU.

All these politicians are just playing people as usual.Coming up with new major political parties in every election period.:ohno:

I don't understand why Uhuru had to come up with a new party, leaving PNU and KANU.
Exactly, the parties are new but it's the same old people forming them. Kenyans need to look beyond these people.

And then ICC spoils the party...

Exactly, the parties are new but it's the same old people forming them. Kenyans need to look beyond these people.

How i wish that were to happen, just watch how they are competing to absorb the grievances of mrc and realise that the more things change the more they remain the same.

How i wish that were to happen, just watch how they are competing to absorb the grievances of mrc and realise that the more things change the more they remain the same.
It's indeed sad to watch politicians toying with this MRC issue. Those people do not need dialogue. All Kenyans are crossing their fingers hoping that the devolved government will finally address their issues. They are not special. The government should make it clear that Kenya will remain as one. It's is disgusting.

And then ICC spoils the party...
#iBelieve in fairy tales.....they will live happily ever after with Taylor :)

All these politicians are just playing people as usual.Coming up with new major political parties in every election period.:ohno:

I don't understand why Uhuru had to come up with a new party, leaving PNU and KANU.

I wonder if there are countries like kenya where political parties pop up like mushrooms. I can't remember all the parties we have had since the introduction of multipartysm in Kenya.