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In his own words: President Kenyatta’s take on issues of the day

protected, to fulfil your rights in accordance with our Constitution. But we shall not allow you to infringe on the rights of others. Equally, we will not say it but it is true, and I will say it. We all know that the problems that we had in 2007/2008 was not that the Kenyan people do not wish to live together in peace and harmony. But what happened is as a result of inciteful statements by politicians, that led to clashes between communities, people who live together as neighbours, and we have equally a clear law that states, that hate speech and inciteful statements cannot and will not be allowed or hate between communities will not be allowed. And my position is that those statements, be they coming from CORD, be they coming from Jubilee, be they coming from whoever, will not and shall not be entertained. Those who choose to walk that path will face the full force of the law. And that has been my position, it is not something new, I have said it severally and that shall be the way it will be, so long as I am President.

Question: Over the past few weeks we’ve seen Kenyans killed and property destroyed in protests aimed at forcing a change of guard at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission; witnessing this, what was your reaction?

President Kenyatta: I keep repeating, you know, our problem is that we just have such short memories. Even a week for some of us is too long. I have always been saying clearly, that I have never had a problem. And I challenge you to go back and look at your own tapes. Going back to two, three months ago. I have always made it very clear, please just go and take a look at our Constitution, and the provisions therein on how to deal with these issues. Let us follow those provisions. For one reason or another, we have continued to say that this means that I am not willing to dialogue. Here we are again, almost two months down the road, and what are we doing? We are dealing and resolving the issues within the provisions of the Constitution, like I said almost two months ago. So I think all I am basically trying to say is that we have a solution to a lot of our problems, if only we were to follow the rule of law. There is no reason for us to be out there in the streets to achieve what the law and the Constitution has already given us.

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