Bw. Raphael Tuju, who is vying for the presidency for the first time, speaks during an interview with journalists in Nairobi. On Thursday, January 5, 2012, Tuju shared his vision for Kenya ahead of the upcoming General Election, emphasizing a departure from the “toxic” ethnic politics of the past. During the interview, he defended his decision to run for the top seat on a Party of Action (POA) ticket, asserting that the country needed a manager rather than a populist politician. Tuju, a former Rarieda MP and Minister for Foreign Affairs, highlighted his track record in development and media, stating that his candidacy was aimed at uniting Kenyans following the 2007/08 post-election violence. He addressed skeptics who viewed him as a “spoiler” candidate in his native Nyanza region, maintaining that every Kenyan has a democratic right to offer themselves for leadership regardless of regional political kingpins. This interview was part of a series of media engagements Tuju used to popularize his “Agenda 001,” which centered on food security and the professionalization of the civil service to curb corruption. Januari 5, 2012.