Wednesday, August 4, 2010

PEACE

"Go out and vote, but remain peaceful", was the message that flowed from leaders in all corners of the country, as Kenyans prepared to pass or reject the Proposed Constitution. With the memories of 2007/08 post-election violence still fresh in the minds of Kenyans, the leaders from both the ‘No’ and ‘Yes’ camps called for peace and unity. They painted the picture of a nation unwilling to accept violence resulting from the referendum.

The campaigns over the proposed laws, which ended on Monday, were free of violence, unlike the 2005 referendum when several people died in Kisumu and Likoni in Mombasa.

Then, three people died in Kisumu after police shot into a crowd that attempted to disrupt a rally by then information minister Raphael Tuju. In Likoni, another two died in campaign related violence.

The Government has deployed 18,000 security officers in parts Rift Valley Province in readiness for any eventuality.

But many of the leaders who spoke yesterday appeared keen to lower political temperatures, as Kenyans got ready for today’s poll, with some exhorting the public to view the plebiscite as a vote for the future, where Kenyans remain united.

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who lead the ‘Yes’ side, former President Moi and the de facto leader of the Reds, Higher Education Minister William Ruto, led the way in calling on Kenyans to remain peaceful.

"Tomorrow, let us all go out and vote peacefully. Thereafter let us get back to undertaking the urgent work of nation building and creating opportunities for our people" Kibaki said.

He called on Kenyans to "seize the moment" and vote to determine the destiny of the country.

"The constitution is about our nation, our people, our hopes and aspirations," he added.

The Head of State will cast his vote at Munaini Primary school polling station at 10am.

Raila, who will vote at Old Kibera Primary School at 9am, said it was time for Kenya to prove to the world that it can conduct peaceful and fair elections.

"Let us prove to the world and to ourselves that Kenya should and can be one nation, never divisible by religion, tribe, political party, race or any of the myriad issues that are bound to come up from time to time," said Raila. He said since the 2007 chaos, the world has had the perception that Kenya cannot hold peaceful elections.

"Let us make a statement once and for all that we are not just a collection of tribes, clans, religious groups or races. Let us prove that we, the people of Kenya, can still stand up and make hard decisions for ourselves peacefully, in a free and fair contest," said the PM.

Ruto called on Kenyans to go out and vote in large numbers.

"This is about the destiny of our nation, and all registered voters must go out and vote," he said.

Foster unity

The minister called on Kenyans to remain peaceful to foster the unity of the nation.

"Vote wisely and vote for a peaceful and united Kenya," said the minister who was headed to Eldoret where he said he would be among the first to cast the ballot in his Eldoret North Constituency today morning. Ruto will vote at Kosachei polling station near Sugoi in the morning.

Moi, who will cast his vote at Kabarak Primary School at 7.30am, called on Kenyans to cast their votes peacefully and accept each other as brothers and sisters. The Kenya Episcopal Conference through its chairman John Cardinal Njue appealed for peace and calm as Kenyans approach constitutional referendum

" We the Catholic Church implore you to be peaceful, before, during and even after the country. As a country, we are at cross roads. We implore you to seize this moment on what we are doing and to pray for true prosperity of our country and all her people," said Njue in a statement.

The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims called on the government to guarantee security during and after the poll.

Supkem national chairman Prof Abdulghafur El-Busaidy cautioned Kenyans against "stoking the embers and awakening unfortunate demons" of the post 2007 General Election violence.

"Any attempt to incite or compel anyone to provocations of violence must be resisted with the candor and contempt it deserves," Supkem national chairman Prof Abdulghafur El-Busaidy said in a statement yesterday. Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka urged Kenyans to vote peacefully and accept the results whichever way it goes.

"We have to move forward together as a nation and ensure we heal the rifts by beginning the difficult path of implementation which will entail negotiating for amendments where necessary," he added.

Medical Services Minister Anyang Nyongo, who spoke at a press conference organised by the Ministry of Information, said the referendum should never become a reason to divide Kenyans.

‘Reds’ protest

"We have worked together so well, and the August 4 referendum is not the end of the world for the country," Nyong’o said.

The press conference was also to be addressed by an official from the ‘No’ side but the ‘Reds’ opted to snub it. Speaking to The Standard on phone, Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo claimed the convenors of the briefing took sides and campaigned for the ‘Greens’ hence the decision by the ‘Reds’ to stay away.

"We stayed away because that forum was organised by those who campaigned for ‘Yes’. They cannot purport to call such a forum, and that’s precisely why we said civil servants should remain neutral," said Kiema.

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