Addressing Kenyans during the 53rd Jamhuri Day celebrations, the President said the Government will not allow any external influence by foreign missions saying Kenyans must be allowed to decide the leaders they want/PSCU
NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 12 – President Uhuru Kenyatta has cautioned foreign countries against influencing the 2017 General Election through suspicious funding to some civil society organisations.
Addressing Kenyans during the 53rd Jamhuri Day celebrations, the President said the Government will not allow any external influence by foreign missions saying Kenyans must be allowed to decide the leaders they want.
“There is already money coming from abroad in the guise of promoting good governance or civic education, however its true intention is to influence our electoral choice,” the President cautioned.
“I want to caution those members of the International Community taking these actions that Kenyan people do not look kindly on such actions. I urge all Kenyans to reject such interference, this is our country and no one should ever control our choices for their own selfish interest.”
“Our fathers and mothers faced an empire that could import soldiers by the thousands and guns by the tone and yet because they were united, not even their might that could keep them in bondage.”
He asked the said countries to support the Independent Boundaries and Electoral Commission instead, if they want to sensitize Kenyans on the need to vote.
“Kenyans are the one to decide…they should not interfere with our process. Kenyans are learned,” the President said. “Sio group hizi zinazunguka huku na ukora (and not the groups doing rounds) Kenyans know who they want to vote as their leader.”
The President expressed optimism of clinching a second term due to some of the development projects he has initiated since the Jubilee Government was elected.
The President has also cautioned leaders against using divisive politics to woo voters, saying the country cannot afford to slide back to its dark days of 2007-2008 post election violence, which claimed more than 1,000 lives and 600,00 people internally displaced.
He said that leaders should respect “ the people’s choice”.
He further advised Kenya’s youth not to be led astray by politicians whose careers are built on division and manipulation.
The President said the future of Kenya belongs to the youth and it is the responsibility of all leaders to prepare them to be the new heroes of the country.
“That our young people have not reached the heights our founders attained is not their fault. Too often, we see leaders who exploit their energy and eagerness to reduce them to poverty, and to drive them to violence,” said the President.
And quoting words from the Bible, the President said “Let no man despise your youth. Let no one make a fool of you. Let no one steal these years from you.”
He said the choices Kenyans make are the basis for how Kenya will steer its destiny as a sovereign state.
“Our founders fought bravely to have the right to make choices free of external interference,” he said.
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