KALONZO AND RUTO IN ELDORET

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has said the ongoing constitutional review process should not be the reason for Kenyans to be divided by leaders who promote hatred among them.

Mr. Musyoka noted that the country had not fully healed following the post election clashes and the 2005 constitutional referendum, hence the need to ensure sobriety, tolerance of divergent opinion and understanding in approaching issues in the draft constitution.

"Let us put all efforts to ensure that this time round we don't engage in contested referendum. It is never too late to have a suitable road map that would allow Kenyans have consensus instead of a widely contested referendum," he said.

The Vice President was speaking Tuesday at the Eldoret Sports Grounds during the official launch of EMO Investments Limited and K-REP Bank partnership.

EMO is a social public company that aims at empowering its members economically through investments in profitable ventures and improve the living standards in the society.

The partnership between K- REP Bank and EMO investments will enable the society members numbering over 15000 to access loans for various economic ventures.

Mr. Musyoka asked Kenyans to reject leaders who are out to incite them against each other on the pretext of championing their interests in the draft constitution.

He called on leaders to avoid hate speeches that could cultivate mistrust among Kenyans.

"We need to put national interests ahead of our own. There is nothing impossible if we all join hands in pursuit of common good. Let us not engage in name calling including regarding others as non reformist", he said.

He at the same time, called on the media to avoid being used as channels to propagate hate, negative ethnicity and division in the society through biased reportage.

The Vice President urged Kenyans to register in large numbers in readiness for the forthcoming national constitutional referendum.

Minister for Agriculture, Mr. William Ruto expressed confidence that a solution to contested issues in the draft constitution can still be reached if all Kenyans remained tolerant and honest with each other.

He particularly called on the two Principals, President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to provide leadership to ensure Kenyans get a non contested referendum.

Mr. Ruto said it was still possible to amend contentious issues before a referendum.

"We must learn to be tolerant and honest and not pretend by telling that it would be possible to amend the draft constitution passing the referendum," he said.

Company Secretary Mr. Hosea Kiili who represented Chairman EMO Investment Ltd, Dr. Julius Kipngetich, said EMO vision is to empower members to engage in profitable investment.

He said the company intends to invest in viable land consolidation particularly in the Rift which is agriculturally a rich area.

K-REP representative Mr. Philip Cheruiyot said the bank will continue to partner with various organizations in the fight against poverty and economic empowerment through micro financing.

He said the bank will assist farmers and small enterprises, adding that the bank has set aside over 300 million towards that end.

"K-REP will help EMO Investment Limited to acquire Kruger Farm that costs 900 million", Mr. Cheruiyot noted.

The EMO Patron, Rev. Bishop Jackson Koskei urged communities to stop subdividing arable land to small unviable plots and instead invest in other areas as a means of wealth creation and alleviation of poverty.