“God gave us a way forward when he helped us put a new Constitution in place. God has done his part, it is now for us Kenyans to do our part… it’s as simple as that let’s not bring God into this story. God has more important things to do for us as a country than help us sort this,” he said/PSCU
NAIROBI, Kenya Jun 3 – President Uhuru Kenyatta says all Kenyans must live within the confines of the Constitution, for peace and harmony to exist.
Speaking during the 14th Annual National Prayer Breakfast, the President vowed to protect the Constitution as per the oath he took, when he was sworn in as Kenya’s 4th President.
The President touched on the continuing Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) stalemate, saying already the Constitution is clear on how the commissioners should be removed from office.
“God gave us a way forward when he helped us put a new Constitution in place. God has done his part, it is now for us Kenyans to do our part… it’s as simple as that let’s not bring God into this story. God has more important things to do for us as a country than help us sort this,” he said.
The Opposition has been pushing for the removal of the IEBC commissioners, and on Thursday named a five-member team to hold dialogue with the Jubilee Coalition.
CORD leader Raila Odinga announced the resumption of the weekly anti-IEBC protests following a one-week hiatus, after the government side declined to engage in dialogue.
President Kenyatta however said the law cannot be changed to suit the interests of a few individuals, in a veiled attack on the Opposition, which insists on dialogue on electoral reforms and other pertinent issues ahead of next year’s General Election.
President Kenyatta asked the Opposition to be consistent and follow the Constitution if they are honest in their push for reforms on the IEBC.
He decried the selective application of the Constitution by CORD, saying the country’s supreme law must be respected and used at all times.
“God gave us a new Constitution that provides a way forward on the IEBC. We must not only use the Constitution when it favours us but also when it does not. We must not use the Constitution only for our convenience,” President Kenyatta said.
He said laws are not formulated to suit the interests of a few individuals but for the good of the nation.
The Head of State asked leaders to be trustworthy and steadfast in what they say and do, adding that trust is the cornerstone of the nation’s progress.
“Trust is about being consistent in what you say and what you do. Trust is not about convenience,” President Kenyatta said.
He called on Kenyans to emulate the country’s founding fathers who were steadfast in their love for the country and went beyond personal interests to secure the country’s independence.
“Let us ask ourselves 53 years down the line, what legacy will we have left behind?” President Kenyatta posed.
He emphasised the need for the country to pull together and pray for peace and unity.
“We must unite in things that will make this country great. We cannot succeed unless we pull together,” President Kenyatta said.
Deputy President William Ruto expressed confidence that Kenya will have a peaceful, transparent and fair election because God is on its side.
“If it was not unconstitutional, we would propose to make the National Prayer Breakfast compulsory because the country cannot move forward without God,” the Deputy President said.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi said freedom of religion is a value that the country safeguards diligently.
The Speaker emphasised that regardless of one’s faith, religion must be used as an instrument of peace and harmony not violence.
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