Speaking during the burial of the late Interior Cabinet Secretary Major General Joseph Nkaissery, President Kenyatta asked Kenyans to be tolerant of each other regardless of political affiliation/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 15 – President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged Kenyans to remain peaceful in the run up to the August 8 General election.
Speaking during the burial of the late Interior Cabinet Secretary Major General Joseph Nkaissery, President Kenyatta asked Kenyans to be tolerant of each other regardless of political affiliation.
“I urge all of you to remain peaceful, to stay united and remember that everyone has a democratic right to campaign anywhere around the country. Once you vote, go home and wait for the results and let life move on,” President Kenyatta said.
He also condemned the recent instances that saw political leaders heckled and jeered by rowdy youths in different places around the country.
“True democracy is allowing others to express themselves during this period. Allow them to speak even if you don’t like them. There is, therefore, no need to fight or abuse one another on social media platforms as that will not secure you any votes. Wait for elections day and vote, and vote as you’d please,” he said.
His remarks follow incidences that saw deputy President William Ruto being jeered by a rowdy crowd in Kisumu while Opposition leader Raila Odinga had cut his trip in Thika shot after a crowd stoned his motorcade.
The incidences have also been condemned by the Chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Wafula Chebukati.
Others to condemn the acts include Democratic Party of Kenya Party Leader Joseph Munyao who also asked law enforcement agencies to deal with those found inciting the public to violence, adding that no Kenyan should suffer harm, loss of life or property because of political competition.
Munyao at the same time said that his party has full confidence in the abilities of the newly appointed acting Cabinet Secretary for interior Dr Fred Matiang’I to secure the country following the untimely death of Major General Joseph Nkaissery.
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