Lucy Kimani - lkimani@ . . .  wrote:
First Lady urges women and the youth not to sell their votes
Written By:pps   , Posted: Wed, Oct 31, 2007

First Lady Mrs. Lucy Kibaki has urged the youth and women not be lured by politicians into sell their votes, saying doing so will deny them their democratic right to vote for leaders of their choice.

Noting that majority of the 14 million registered voters in the country are women and the youth, the First Lady said they had the power to determine the country's destine by electing leaders who will work with President Kibaki for the benefit of all Kenyans.

"Do not listen to people who use money to woo you into voting for them. Selling your votes is not only criminal but will also make you vote for people who will make you regret later," Mrs. Kibaki said.

The First Lady was speaking Wednesday at Emuhaya where she addressed a public rally at the end of her two-day visit to Western Province.

Stressing that President Kibaki is a hardworking leader who has improved the country within the short time he has been in leadership, the First Lady called on wananchi to support him and ignore those who started campaigning three years ago instead of serving the electorate.

"While the President was busy working towards improving the country, the people who are opposing him were already on the campaign trail instead of serving the electorate. Such people are not interested in serving wananchi but their selfish interests," the First Lady said.

She commended President Kibaki for opening up the democratic space, saying Kenyans could now question and scrutinize aspirants so as come up with good leaders who are humble, sober and hardworking.

Pointing out that President Kibaki has been working towards improving the welfare of all Kenyans, especially women and the youth, the First Lady appealed to wananchi to re-elect him so that he could continue serving the country diligently.

"The President has particularly ensured that women are given big post in Government ministries and parastatal so as to bring them to par with their male counterparts," Mrs. Kibaki said.

On education, the First Lady said President Kibaki introduced the free primary education program to ensure that all Kenyan children, especially the girl-child, were not denied education.

In this regard, Mrs. Kibaki urged parents not to deny their daughters education by marrying them off before they finished their schooling.

Speaking during the occasion, Cabinet Minister Moses Akaranga asked all aspirants for the Emuhaya parliamentary seat to unite and support whoever will win the Party of National Unity (PNU) ticket during the nominations.

On Majimbo, Mr. Akaranga said wananchi should resist the introduction of the system of government as it would only divide Kenyans and trigger ethnic clashes.

The Western Province Maendeleo ya Wanawake Chairperson Mrs. Dorah Atiti urged women in Emuhaya district to use their vote not only to re-elect President Kibaki but also to elect a person who will work with the President in his efforts to improve the country.

By show of hands, wananchi assured the First Lady of their support to the President and the Party of National Unity (PNU).

Earlier, the First Lady addressed students and teachers at Ebusakami Primary school and at Bonyore Girls High School on her way to the rally.