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Uhuru, Raila say polls should not cause bloodshed

President Kenyatta said as the country prepares for the next General Election, political competition should be based on programs and ideology not unnecessary issues/MUTHONI NJUKI

President Kenyatta said as the country prepares for the next General Election, political competition should be based on programs and ideology not unnecessary issues/MUTHONI NJUKI

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 22 – President Uhuru Kenyatta and CORD leader Raila Odinga on Monday united in calling for peaceful elections, as the country marked the 38th memorial of Kenya’s founding father Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.

President Kenyatta, urged leaders and other citizens alike to put their political differences aside for the sake of the country’s unity.

“Especially given that this is the last celebration of this day before the next General Election…for those who win and those who lose, we must all at the end of the day join hands and work together for our country and towards that end I am very happy and excited to have my brother Raila with us on this day,” he stated.

“This is because at the end of the day it shows we are all one people of one nation. There is no one who will come out of this country. Where will we go to? So Like I say, even as we compete, let us always remember that is should not be at the detriment of our people,” he said.

President Kenyatta emphasised that Kenyans will at no time again shed blood because of political competition.

He stated the need for Kenyans to embrace the strong legacy left behind by the pioneers and make positive contributions for a better country.

President Kenyatta indicated that as the country prepares for the next General Election, political competition should be based on programs and ideology not unnecessary issues.

He pointed out that Mzee Kenyatta and other pioneers struggled to liberate the country so as to make it better for all Kenyans.

“We are all Kenyans, we are one people of one nation, political competition should not divide and create enmity among us,” he said.

The President challenged Kenyans to strive to make positive contribution to the development of the country regardless of their position in life.

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“Positions are not permanent, we will at one time all go. What will we be remembered for after we are gone?” he posed.

He urged all Kenyans to carry on with the dream and aspirations of the country’s pioneers by championing good causes.

He then invited Odinga to make a statement and the Opposition leader used the opportunity to remind Kenyans of his family’s ties with that of the late Kenyatta dating back to the 1950’s.

“Indeed Mzee Kenyatta sacrificed a lot for the independence of this country. They paid a very heavy price for this country to be free and that is why when remembering Mzee, I put off other things so as to come and remember him with you. Kenya is bigger than any one individual,” he stated.

Odinga also echoed President Kenyatta’s peace call saying Kenyans should never again fight because of political competition.

“Political competition should not bring enmity between our people. As we get into campaigning never again should we shed blood because of political competition,” he said.

He narrated his interaction with the founding father since his childhood, saying he paid a heavy price to liberate Kenya.

Earlier, the President led family members and senior government officials in laying wreaths at the mausoleum of the late Mzee Kenyatta.

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