Her comments and besmirching remarks are indeed unfortunate coming at a time when Kenyans who have experienced intermittent conflict seek to find amicable solutions to their differences.
It is an understatement to state that much of the political conflict in our nation and especially election related violence in the last 20 years has had the Rift Valley as its epicenter.
The consequence of these are the embarrassing sites of people living in deplorable conditions, earning Kenya the unfortunate tag of a nation that hosts its own citizens in camps for internally displaced people or IDPs.
These IDPs are our brothers and sisters. Their re-settlement has taken too long and the promise by the Government to re-settle them within this year is laudable. Indeed the Eldoret rally bound the Government to complete the exercise by July.
Politicians have their way of viewing events whose participants are their fellow politicians through a prism of many colours, shades and agendas. This is especially to be expected ahead of the next general elections.
What is unfortunate is that Hon. Shebesh has opted to drag the name of the President using skewed and convoluted arguments.
There is no doubt that President Kibaki understands that part of his legacy is to leave office having united all Kenyans.
A good beginning point must be in the Rift Valley, a region known for its rich diversity of cultures, languages and religions.
President Kibaki did not travel to Eldoret to promote any political grouping but to preach a message of hope, peace and national reconciliation. This was his clear message
‘Kenya is one country and we should all live together in peace.” This was a message that was shared by the close to one hundred MPs who accompanied the President or gave their apologies.
Hon. Shebesh’s article is a betrayal of the values that the ODM party has oft tried to promote in the offices of the Grand Coalition Government. However it has brought out her true feelings and of those persons who may share her ideology.
President Kibaki is the biggest promoter of peace and reconciliation as publicly espoused by the Grand Coalition Government.
President Kibaki needs no permission to visit any part of the country because he is the leader of all the Kenyan people. As promised, the President intends to take this message of national reconciliation and unity to all parts of the country.
In the meantime, Hon. Shebesh owes an apology to the many Kenyans who attended the Eldoret rally. They were men and women who carried the flower of peace. That flower must be carried by Kenyans who want to see all communities united in one common bond of national unity.
In the meantime, President Kibaki will remain focused on the work ahead including entrenchment of the constitution, empowerment of the youth, economic development and national reconciliation.
Source:
http://www.statehousekenya.go.ke/Commentary
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