HE MAY seem an unlikely candidate, but the owner of a Hounslow cab firm has entered the Kenyan presidential race.
Despite having no political experience, Jaffer Isaak, of Standard Road, Hounslow, is convinced he is the man to tackle corruption in his native country.
The 38-year-old father of three was born in the town of Moyale, on Kenya's northern border, and spent a decade in his country's army, including one year serving as part of the international peace-keeping force in the former Yugoslavia.
He came to England 10 years ago and, following spells working for a bank and as a taxi driver for AzA Cars in Bath Road, Cranford, launched his own cab firm, J&Z Executive Travel, which he continues to run.
"Kenya is a very beautiful country but it's very corrupt," said Mr Isaak, who now divides his time between the UK and Mombasa.
"It's very difficult in Kenya because opportunities are totally blocked for most people and reserved for less than 10 per cent of society."
The Kenyan government admitted last December it could be losing nearly a third of the national budget - up to £2.5billion a year - to corruption.
Unemployment stands at 40 per cent, according to America's Central Intelligence Agency figures, and more than half the 41 million population is living below the poverty line.
Kenya's presidential elections, to replace Mwai Kibaki who took over in 2002, are due to be held in August next year.
Mr Isaak has set up a website and has already begun visiting potential voters.
He estimates the campaign will cost millions and, although he has a property management firm and a cargo company in Kenya, says he will rely on donations to fund his leadership bid.
He has no public profile in Kenya but hopes to make this a selling point, and is marketing himself as a man of the people.
"There are more than 70 parties registered in Kenya and the majority of those are run along tribal lines," says the presidential hopeful, himself a member of the little-known Gabra tribe.
"The first thing anyone asks you in Kenya is what tribe you're from and I want to change that.
"People should have pride in their country, so you're a Kenyan first, no matter what tribe you're from.
"It's going to be difficult but I reckon I've got a chance.
"At the moment people think I'm mad but, believe me, we will be talking a different language next year."
THE CONTRASTS
KENYA
* Population: 41 million * Average life expectancy (male): 59 * Unemployment: 40 per cent * Major exports: Coffee, tea, flowers * Famous residents: Paul Tergat (former marathon world record holder) * Wildlife reserves: Masai Mara
HOUNSLOW
* Population: 230,000 (HPA) Average life expectancy (male): 77 * Unemployment: 7.4 per cent * Major exports: Real ale, folding bicycles * Famous residents: Ant and Dec * Wildlife reserves: Hounslow Heath, Bedfont Lakes
A taxi journey from Hounslow to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya - 6,631 miles - would take approximately six days 21 hours and would cost about £7,958.
