NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 9 -The National Cohesion and Integration Commission Chairman Mzalendo Kibunjia is urging Kenyans not to vote for Prime Minister Raila Odinga, his Deputy Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto once the seek for presidency in the 2012 General Elections following their recent public exchanges.
Mr Kibunjia says Kenyans should shun the three leaders since they have remained intolerant to each other.
Speaking during the launch of the Commission three year\’s strategic plan on Wednesday he said the behaviour and public spat of the three leaders is likely to spill over to their leadership if either of them clinched the Presidency.
"Ordinary Kenyans, civil society, church leaders and even the President have all spoken asking these leaders to stop their insults. The question is if they get power in 2012 who will they listen to since they have failed to listen to all these people?"
The Commission last week issued warning letters to the three leaders urging to stop their public exchanges or face action.
Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto later in the weekend bounced back the warnings telling the Commission to first take action against Mr Odinga. The two leaders who have announced a political partnership towards the 2012 election said the Commission must be impartial in its work.
Speaking during the same function at the KICC, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Mutula Kilonzo supported Mr Kibunjia\’s suggestion but called on the Commission to institute legal action against the three leaders.
"I assure you if we give them the power they are seeking they will plug their ears either with cotton wool or cement so that they cannot hear you," said the Minister.
Mr Kilonzo said the leaders must be made to account for their statements.
"Apologies are not enough. They must be made to purge the statements because when they insult one of us they insult all of us," he added.
Mr Kibunjia called on all Kenyans to hold political leaders to account over their utterances.
"Who are those (Kenyans) who clap when the leaders are abusing each other?" posed the Chairman.
The Commission launched the 2010-2012 strategic plan that will enable them increase public awareness and sensitization on national cohesion and hate speech.
The plan shall bring together various stakeholders including various government departments, civil society, the media, police, Judiciary and Parliament among others.
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