KENYA: Zimbabwean presidential candidate to meet politicians before polls

By Kenya Media

Zimbabwean presidential candidate Saviour Kasukuwere is in Kenya for a series of meetings with political operatives ahead of the August 23 polls in the South African country.

Kasukuwere who announced his presidential ambitions at a press conference a week ago, has promised to revive the country’s economy, which is currently experiencing massive strain.

“Top of my agenda for the people, if I emerge the winner in the polls, is to give title deeds to Zimbabweans who have suffered for decades now,” he said during an interview with a media pool in Nairobi.

Kasukuwere is running as an independent candidate and will face the incumbent president Emmerson Mnangagwa of ZANU PF and Nelson Chamisa of the Change Coalition.

During the interview, the 52 years old former minister said his focus was reviving the economy of Zimbabwe, stabilising it to stop the bleeding of the workforce as its citizens are fleeing to neighbouring SADC countries.

“We are currently a shame to the SADC region. We are dragging them down because our people are all over the SADC states. I want to change that by reviving the economy and stopping the outflow so we develop our country,” he said.

Part of his agenda is also corruption, which he said has decimated the country’s credibility and image.

“It is a shame that we have become a convenient shop for known criminals and no accountability is visited on them,” he added.

Additionally, Kasukuwere has pledged to restore trust in the public service, where he claims corruption has become prevalent.

“I come with a clear agenda, with a deep appreciation of what Zimbabweans need,” he said.

Kasukuwere has held various government and political party positions.

He is best known for his roles as Mugabe’s last National Political Commissar, a member of the Politburo, and a member of Zanu PF’s Central Committee.

His career in public service began as the Deputy Minister of Youth Development and Employment Creation, where he implemented policies to stimulate the economy and promote youth employment.

In 2009, he was appointed Minister of Youth Development and Employment Creation, further advancing initiatives for youth empowerment and local business development.

In 2013, as the Minister of Environment, Water, and Climate, Kasukuwere played a leading role in addressing the effects of climate change in Zimbabwe and developing the country’s first official National Climate Change Response Strategy.

He has also served as the Minister of Local Government, Public Works, and National Housing.