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No need to panic, 2017 poll will be free and fair – DP Ruto

Addressing leaders from Kisii and Nyamira Counties who called on him at his Sugoi home in Uasin -Gishu County on Thursday, Ruto urged Kenyans to embrace peace and reconciliation/DPPS

Addressing leaders from Kisii and Nyamira Counties who called on him at his Sugoi home in Uasin -Gishu County on Thursday, Ruto urged Kenyans to embrace peace and reconciliation/DPPS

ELDORET, Kenya, Jan 7 – Deputy President William Ruto has assured Kenyans that the General Election next year will be free, fair and peaceful.

Ruto said those preaching violence whether in Jubilee or the Opposition should be subjected to the due process of law.

The Deputy President said it is the democratic right of Kenyans to elect leaders of their choice without intimidation.

He dismissed claims by Opposition leaders that there were plans to rig the election saying the claims were unwarranted and superfluous.

“What Kenyans want is a free and fair democratic process,” said Ruto.

“Those talking about political violence whether in the Jubilee side or the Opposition should not be tolerated,” he added.

The Deputy President said those alleging rigging in next year’s elections were engaging in propaganda which he said was informed by fear of losing the elections.

“All these claims you hear about rigging and violence is nothing but propaganda by people who are losing support and Kenyans must ignore them,” said Ruto.

“We do not want to engage in divisive politics. We want to create peace and stability for our country,” said the Deputy President.

The Deputy President, at the same time asked communities, which differed after the 2007 General Election to forgive each other.

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“It is time we reconcile as people of Kenya and forgive each other for the sake of peace and stability of country,” said Ruto.

Addressing leaders from Kisii and Nyamira Counties who called on him at his Sugoi home in Uasin -Gishu County on Thursday, Ruto urged Kenyans to embrace peace and reconciliation.

The meeting was attended by among others MPs Jimmy Angwenyi (Kitutu Masaba), Joel Onyancha, Stephen Manoti (Bobasi), Richard Onyonka (Kitutu Chache-South), Elijah Mondi (Nyaribari Masaba) Richard Tongi (Nyaribari Chache), Zebedeo Opore (Bonchari), Hosea Ochwang (nominated Senator) and Kisii deputy governor Joash Maangi.

Others were Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), Elisha Busienei (Turbo), Isaac Melly (Uasin-Gishu) and Governors Jackson Mandago (Uasin-Gishu) and William Kabogo (Kiambu).

Governor James Ongwae, who is bereaved, sent his apologies saying he would have attended.

The Deputy President said communities should work together in strengthening peace and reconciliation.

“I have personally forgiven those who wronged me and I hope you will forgive those who wronged you so that we move as brothers and sisters of this great nation,” said Ruto.

The MPs vowed to mobilise people from Kisii and Nyamira counties to embrace the new Jubilee Party for the sake of peace and development.

“As a community we want to assure you that we will not be left behind. We are ready to embrace the new Jubilee Party,” said Onyonka when he read resolutions on behalf of the leaders.

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Onyonka said the Abagusii community had learnt their mistake after the 2013 General Election and was ready to work with the Jubilee Administration.

“We have learnt our mistakes and we will not afford to remain out of the government come the next elections. We are putting our house in order so that we become part and parcel of the Jubilee Party,” said Onyonka.

“It is time we think as nationalists and come up with a political party with a national outlook,” added Onyonka.

Maangi said the leadership of Abagusii was keen to work with the Government and joining the new Jubilee Party.

“We have come here having made independent decisions without any form of inducement from any quarters,” said Maangi.

The Deputy President said the Jubilee leadership under President Uhuru Kenyatta has resolved to bring all the Kenya’s ethnic communities together through the new Jubilee Party.

“As Kenyans we should support peace initiatives and reconciliation. We can do this by uniting our people through a party with a national outlook and that is Jubilee Party,” said Ruto.

“There is no community or religion that is in Kenya by mistake. All of us are here by God’s wish and we should regard each other as brothers and sisters,” added Mr. Ruto.

The chairman of the Abagusii Council of Elders James Matundura praised the ongoing unity efforts by the Government saying it was the only way to unite Kenyans.

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“We are happy that there is peace across the country because of commitment by this Government to uniting the people of Kenya,” said Matundura.

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