NAIROBI, 26 Nov 2017 (PSCU) – President Uhuru Kenyatta has asked politicians to use the country’s diversity for the national good instead of abusing it for personal gain.
Two days to his swearing-in, President Kenyatta attended a thanksgiving Sunday service at the Redeem Gospel Church in Huruma with a message that the celebrations at Kasarani will not be about him and winning an election but Kenyans celebrating their diversity, peace and unity.
The President pointed out that, Kenya being a democracy, it is normal to compete for political positions but the competition should not be based on ethnicity, race or tribe but ideas that will lift the lives of Kenyans.
“And like in any competition, there will be winners and losers but in terms of the election we are all winners as Kenyans. Our responsibility after the political competition is to come together and work to build the nation,” President Kenyatta said.
The Head of State, who was accompanied by Deputy President William Ruto, said Kenyans want to live together as one people and should not be enjoined in political argument.
“Within the political world, it is normal to have political differences but that does not mean we can’t co-exist and live together in peace,” President Kenyatta said.
The Head of State disclosed that his first responsibility is peace for all Kenyans. “Second is to ensure the unity of all Kenyans becomes the foundation of the development we are seeking,” President Kenyatta said.
Deputy President Ruto urged Kenyans to shun those preaching hate, negative ethnicity and divisive politics.
“Today, let us all resolve that we will refuse hate, resist negative ethnicity and reject divisive politics so that we can live together as one people – the people of the great nation of Kenya,” the DP said.
The Deputy President said he was in church with the President to fulfill a covenant they made with God that if He grants them victory they will glorify Him.
He asked Kenyans to continuously build bridges of friendship and brotherhood because that is the will of God, urging religious leaders to pray for the President and his team so that they can have the wisdom to serve every Kenyan irrespective of their political affiliation.
Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko said his administration is ready to work with the national Government to ensure the city is safe and the rights of all Kenyans are safeguarded.
“A few people should not be allowed to violate the rights of others. We have witnessed women being stubbed, property looted and others destroyed. We will not allow this to continue,” Governor Sonko said.
Other speakers included Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja and the Deputy President’s wife Rachel Ruto.
The service was conducted by Archbishop Arthur Kitonga of the Redeemed Gospel Church who also delivered the sermon.
Else where: Daily Nation reports that opposition leader may not hold controversial swearing ceremony after rejecting calls to swear-in.
Posted Script: Further, Mr Odinga, sources said, holds the view that holding a parallel swearing-in ceremony will trivialise his push for electoral justice, government exclusion and human rights abuses. read here
