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By:
HARRISON MAINA | |||||||||
| Posted:
Aug,07-2017 17:58:38
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LOWELL, Mass.,__Simon Kirubi, a long time Kenyan Diaspora resident of Lowell, MA has decided to be one among several Kenyans in USA who have thrown their hats in the ring to contest various elective posts in the upcoming Kenyan General elections taking place next month in the motherland.
Kirubi, a father of two and a cousin to Kenyan billionaire, Chris Kurubi, will be contesting for a Member of County Assembly (MCA) to represent Karura ward in Nairobi. Kirubi, a father of two and a cousin to Kenyan billionaire, Chris Kurubi, will be contesting for a Member of County Assembly (MCA) to represent Karura ward in Nairobi. A fundraiser towards his campaign efforts has been planned to take place tomorrow, Sunday July 16 at the PCEA Neema church located at 201 Coburn, street from 2.30 to 5pm. According to Kirubi, he founded the New Democrats Party in Kenya with a mission to helping the youth, both in Kenya and those returning from the Diaspora gain entry into elective posts. However, the New Democrats Party is aligned to the ruling Jubilee party engaged in a fierce battle with NASA coalition led by former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga to retain leadership in the upcoming general elections. Speaking to Ajabu Africa News, Kirubi said that he has been very encouraged at the response he is getting on the campaign trail back in Kenya and has a very good shot at winning the race. However, he admitted that the Kenyan elections have now become a very expensive affair in order to be in a position to represent the people and champion for their ignored needs. He also said that there is a great need for actual Kenyans in the Diaspora to run for office back in Kenya since the politicians there do not take the Diaspora seriously when it comes to formulating polices. He said that initially, he had been given the mandate by the Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta to mobilize and bring together the Diaspora vote but things changed once the new Jubilee secretary general, Raphael Tuju made the decision not to engage the Diaspora voters, claiming that it will be ten times as expensive as pursuing local votes. "For me, I went there and after observing what was going on , I concluded that people in the Diaspora have to be part of the governing system in Kenya for anything to be achieved that will be of benefit to us. They have ignored us on the basis that the Diaspora vote is too expensive to pursue. We have to get this done by ourselves now," he told Ajabu Africa News. According to Kirubi, Karura ward covers the most upscale area of Nairobi housing 31 foreign embassies he United Nations. Among the renowned neighborhoods in Karura include Muthaiga, old Muthaiga, Gigiri, Roselyn, Nyali, the new 2 rivers mall, Village Market and more.
Unfortunately, despite the high end neighborhood, Karura also hosts very dilapidated area where thousands of Kenyans live in abject poverty, including Githogoro slums and Mji wa Huruma. "People in these slums don't even have toilets and have to use bushed to answer the call of nature. There is too much poverty here yet even the UN offices are barely 30 meters way," lamented the MCA aspirant. "How can the UN tell us they are going around the world eradicating poverty while poor people surround their backward in Nairobi? This is not acceptable. We have to do something to change this." Kirubi urged Kenyans in the Diaspora to help him with funds that will bring him over the top at the race that he is now leading.  "We need money to maintain our lead to the end though massive advertising and outreach. I urge the Diaspora to come out in large numbers and help my campaign at the fundraiser tomorrow in Lowell," he pleaded. Kirubi added that it is for the benefit of the Diaspora when they help elect people who have actually lived here and have experienced the problems we face first hand. "Soon or later, many of us will have to go back home to retire there. When you come home, you want to make sure that your interests have been catered for and that there are people in government who you can count on to get that done as they identify with your interests," he said. He welcomed Kenyans who might want to ask questions or get first hand information on the current situation of elections in Kenya to attend the fundraiser. The event will kick off at 2.30pm. Venue: PCEA 201 Coburn, street Lowell, MA 01852 To contact Kirubi, call text:978-761-9111 | |||||||||
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Source:
AJABU AFRICAN NEWS
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