Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka addressing Trans Nzoia residents on Saturday July 28, 2012. [PHOTO|Leonard Wamalwa|West Fm]

Kenya will realize economic growth, democracy through constitutional reforms championed by reform oriented leaders elected by Kenyans, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has said. 

The VP also believes constitutional reforms will be the answer to a myriad of challenges facing the country.

Speaking at Kenyatta stadium in Kitale during a Wiper Democratic Movement rally on Saturday, the VP told Kenyans to shun leaders who stand on the agenda of implementing the Constitution to be elected to power saying that the Constitution in itself is self implementing.

"The Constitution that we have does not need anybody to brag around saying that he is the one to enable its implementation. As a constitutional lawyer I want to tell you that the Constitution shall have itself implemented and thus needs a champion who will ensure successful implementation," Kalonzo said.

He urged the electorate therefore to elect reform oriented leaders especially the next President who should be someone without a dented image like involvement in corruption cases.

“I urge you to elect reform-oriented leaders who will transform this country to desired heights and shun those claiming to be reformers when they are only political thugs,” he said.

The Mwingi North MP said the electorate should be cautious enough not to put in power a leader whom they will regret even before he is sworn in to power.

He regretted that those who call themselves reformers are in turn the people who are robbing the country citing the theft of maize that was witnessed in the country.

"You cannot call yourself a reformer and yet at night you still maize," he said.

At the same time Kalonzo regretted that despite Trans Nzoia County being perceived as the bread basket of the country, it is unfortunate that the rate of poverty is at higher levels blaming the situation on poor policies.

“I am surprised that 55 per cent of residents here are poor when you are the people who supply maize that feeds the whole nation,” he noted.

He promised that if elected, his government will help in uniting the country citing his pivotal role in overseeing the birth of the new Republic of Southern Sudan and last year's peace accord between the three communities of Bukusu, Sabaot and Teso that signed a peace accord at Mabanga Famers training center in Bungoma County which he said has already started yielding fruits.

The VP who was accompanied by MP Mohammed Affey, Home Affairs PS Ludeki Chweya and former Makadara MP Dick Wathika and local leaders led by Nzoia County Council chairman Fred Kwanusu urged people in the region to embrace local tourism and conserve the environment for attraction of foreign tourists who will in turn boost the economy of their respective Counties under the new dispensation.

He also pledged to put in place measures that shall promote agricultural activities and ensure good market prices.

The Vice president further criticized legislators propagating for the August 2013 election date saying they are playing with the psychology of Kenyans.

“I was prepared for the December but since the IEBC slated March as the election date I am contended with it but not August,’ he said.

The vice president also visited the widow of the late Masinde Muliro where he heaped praises on the fallen independence hero for being part of those who liberated this country from the yoke of colonization.

On the issue of ID registration, Kalonzo acknowledged that the youth are facing a lot of challenges in acquiring the national identity cards that are vital for them to vote in the next elections.

He called on Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang to ensure there are no hurdles in the issuance of identity cards to all people who have attained the minimum age of acquiring the documents so that nobody is denied his or her constitutional right to vote.

‘I have directed the minister for Immigration and Registration Otieno Kajwang to ensure there is no levy charged for those applying for identity cards since it is their right,’ he directed.

He later opened his party offices in Kitale town adjacent to the ODM and URP offices next to the stadium.