Raila and Uhuru call for end to tribalism

By Munene Kamau

Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his Deputy Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday called on Kenyans to slay the dragon of tribalism.

Raila and Uhuru were emphatic that the country would move forward once the culture of tribalism was buried. Speaking at the same function in Mbeere, the two leaders said Kenyans had suffered for a long time due to negative ethnicity that has been propagated by leaders.

Raila said the country was for all Kenyans and that it was foolhardy for certain leaders to seek to isolate people from some communities.

The two spoke at Kanyuambora in Mbeere during a function to lay the foundation stone for the Kenya Anglican University presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.

Dr Williams was accompanied by Anglican bishops led by Archbishop Eliud Wabukala. Area MP Lenny Kivuti also attended the function.

Hope for prosperity

Williams said he was aware that Kenya had had political problems in the past but expressed hope that unity would prevail and the country prosper.

“From what I have seen amongst your leaders present in this gathering, I have no doubt the future for this nation will be bright,” he said.

Others in attendance were Cabinet Minister Joseph Nyagah and MPs Mutava Musyimi, Eugene Wamalwa, Mithika Linturi, Kilemi Mwiria, and Joseph Nanok.

“We need to embrace each other as Kenyans because the country is for all of us,” said Raila. The PM said without national unity, Kenyans shunning tribalism and discrimination, the country risked not developing and moving forward. He said the enactment of the new Constitution had given the country a new dawn and would move forward if the implementation is swift and smooth.

On his part, Uhuru said it is only through unity that the country would be able to achieve the economic vision envisaged by the year 2030.

“National unity and integration are the key things needed as this country moves towards implementing the new Constitution. We need leaders who are devoid of tribalism,” Uhuru said.

He said it was incumbent upon Kenyans to choose leaders who are for the aspirations of the country, not those driven by personal interests.

“We hope that with what we have achieved under President Kibaki, the future of the country is bright,” said Uhuru.

Uhuru said the university to be built should endeavour to fight the culture of tribalism.

“It will enable job creation for youth, growth of university education and also boost the general national development,” he said.