NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 22- President Mwai Kibaki on Friday sent a message of goodwill to all Christians in the country as they marked their Easter holidays and reminded them to be compassionate to the less advantaged members of the society.
The President noted that Kenyans were currently facing a myriad of challenges but moved to assure them of the government’s commitment in addressing the issues.
Mr Kibaki said the government was in the process of setting up measures that would control the ongoing inflation rates and had also released food stocks to the Kenyan market in an attempt to counter the increasing commodity prices.
“As we grapple with these challenges as a Government, I urge all Kenyans to embrace the true Christian spirit of assisting the less fortunate members of our society,” he said.
He added that the government would also continue availing food to the most vulnerable members of the society.
“The government is committed to implementing measures to ensure the well being of all Kenyans to the fullest extent possible. Through hard work and concern for one another, we will succeed in overcoming the challenges facing us,” he added.
He further asked Kenyans not to center their energies on divisive politics. He argued that the implementation of the constitution and other developmental issues were more important.
“I also call upon Kenyans from all walks of life to focus not on issues that divide us but on those that unite us, build us and make us better. Let us especially dedicate our energies to the successful implementation of the new Constitution which guarantees a better future for our people,” he said.
The President also asked Kenyans to continue praying for peace and unity for their nation.
Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister and minister for Local Government Musalia Mudavadi has also urged Kenyans to remain steadfast in the implementation of the constitution.
He added that Kenyans should shun leaders who used the tribal card to propel their political ambitions.
“You cannot be saying you want to be president all the time everywhere you go to everyone you meet. “I want to be president” is not a campaign platform or issue. It shows lack of self-confidence”, he said.
He further called on the concerned line ministries to handle the issue of resettling Internally Displaced People with sobriety. Mr Mudavadi argued that the matter could spiral out of control if it was not handled with the due caution.
“We are using IDPs as political pawns in a very dangerous blame game whose ends we will come to regret. We should never underestimate the intelligence and resolve of those who feel victimised and then misused. Such feelings fester on for generations”, he warned.
The DPM regretted that lots of energy had been wasted on petty issues at the expense of serious agenda for country. He asked the media to help Kenyans to focus on priorities.
“For a week, media have enthralled us with the story of a missing handbag at the expense of serious reports about implementing the Constitution”, he said.
On the issue of the spiraling basic commodity prices, Musalia said they have been caused by the turmoil in the Arab countries but called for calculated interventions to cautions Kenyans by relevant government agencies.
“We are capable of doing better, so let us not always be on the defensive”, he said referring to current bickering over who is responsible.
“Let us remain united as Kenyans and remain committed to reform”, he said.
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