My Friends,

I have been blessed these past months with the opportunity to travel across our great land and meet and talk with fellow Kenyans to fully understand what concerned citizens want and need from the next president of Kenya.

The message has been clear and one: Kenyans have grown weary of the politics of usual and now want to look at the future. Kenyans want a president who not only leads, but also delivers results. They need a president who not only talks, but acts. More than anything, ordinary Kenyans long for a government of the people, by the people—an administration that truly cares about food security and a country that guarantees its citizens their rights across all provinces, all tribes and all circumstances.

The policies of divisiveness implemented by the current coalition government have put our country in an uncertain position. Serious human rights issues and problems continue to be ignored by the leadership in Kenya. Our politicians—consumed by money and influence—have become petty, bitter and so partisan they cannot even sit down and discuss, much less resolve the many problems that face us today. Our current government has reduced our sovereignty to being only in paper, where we cannot decide our internal matters without being forced by foreign states.

This is why I have officially entered the race to become the fourth President of the Republic of Kenya—and a true public servant to all Kenyans. I do not to this for personal glory—but for love of country.

Success will not be easy. And I call upon you for your help and support. This is not a race for one man or even one tribe. This is not a race that intends to pit generations and regions against each other. But rather this is a call to raise public awareness, elevate the engagement of our citizens and to urge all Kenyans to become active in the political process to bring about the change we so desperately need.

The journey toward the 2012 elections will be rigorous. But it will also be rewarding as we work together to liberate Kenyans from the bondage of corruption, tribalism, poverty and impunity.

To get there, we all must participate—particularly the youth, who make up 70% of the Kenyan population. As a constituency, the youth have yet to hold a place in the Kenyan political process. My campaign intends to change that. I call upon the youth to play a greater role in our politics. In return, I pledge to respect and serve with all Kenyans in mind. It is time to value all opinions—all generations, all tribes. And it is time to put our trust in each other and in the future of Kenya.

Today, we continue our journey toward 2012. During the next few months, I will continue to reach out to citizens ... to listen and help in any way I can. My campaign will work to complete the registration of our political party, a process that has stalled due to the lack of a voter registry in Kenya.

Once the party is fully registered under the new political parties act, we will officially begin a voter registry exercise that ensures all eligible Kenyans (18 and older) have the necessary paperwork and identity cards to secure their right to vote in 2012. I call upon each of you to help mobilize Kenyans to register to vote in order to bring new change.

I am willing to commit myself to bringing change to Kenya. But I cannot do it alone. Bringing about the change we seek is up to all of us. You and me. We may not always agree. But we need to put petty things aside and realize we have a great country waiting to be made.

Although difficult, this campaign is both an honor and a blessing. I look forward to exchanging ideas, sharing the details of my plan and working with—and for—all of you.

2012 is not far off. But in it, I see the birth of a new Kenya, one full of opportunity, equality, peace and security. The past is a different country. The future is Kenya.

Humbly yours,

Ledama Olekina