TRADE Minister Moses Wetang’ula has announced that he is in the presidential race up to the end and will not drop his bid in favor of any other contender for the top seat.

Wetang’ula reiterated that he’s in the race for the top seat up to the ballot and urged Kenyans to support his bid.

Speaking when he presided over a funds-drive in aid of Kuywa Salvation Army in his Sirisia Constituency accompanied by Bungoma County Council Chairman Meshack Wekesa Museveni, the Minister told fellow presidential contenders to prepare for a bruising challenge in the race to succeed President Mwai Kibaki.

“Let my fellow contestants like Raila Odinga, Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto and others know that I am in the race up to the end. I will leave Kenyans to decide and I will not drop my candidature for any of them!” announced the minister amid cheers.

He called on Kenyans to ensure a peaceful election this time round and shun leaders who preach tribalism and hatred among communities ahead of the historic polls.

“If it was my wish, I would have suggested that the country forms another government of national unity because Kenyans are yet to heal fully from the after-effects of the last general elections that ended in blood-letting,” suggested Wetang’ula.

On the on-going military operation in Somalia, the minister challenged Kenyans to take advantage of the pacification of that country by the Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) to start businesses in the lawless country.

He said Somalia is slowly rising from the ashes after years of fighting and urged Kenyan businessmen to move and develop that country through engaging in various business ventures like they have done in neighboring Southern Sudan.

“Our country will continue playing its big role as the promoter of peace and stability in this region and as a government, we are impressed with what our security forces have so far done to liberate the people of Somalia from the criminal acts of the Al-Shabaab terror group,” said Wetang’ula.