Monday, January 2, 2012

Kibaki, Raila lead calls for political tolerance


By Beauttah Omanga and Titus Too

Politicians have their eyes trained on a busy 2012 calendar with the penultimate being the General Election, whose date remains unclear.
Established names and wannabes have been warming up to voters and the crucial stage has been set with New Year messages calling for peaceful, free, fair and credible elections in 2012 to help the country bury the ghosts of the 2007.
Led by President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, the country’s leadership seemed to agree that the only way for the country is through a peaceful election which each promised to support.
Chief ustice Dr Willy Mutunga in a New Year message reiterated his commitment to accelerated reforms in the judiciary to restore public confidence in the institution in view of the impending 2012 General Election.
Said the CJ: "Kenyans must take the responsibility for change by respecting the rule of law and remaining vigilant, and all organs of State to act and operate within the confines of law." Mutunga said the new team is committed to improving the access to and quality of justice in Kenya.
He added that much ground would be covered through fidelity to the constitution and its implementation.
He sent the message of goodwill to Kenyans at a time the High Court is expected to rule on the date on which the transitional polls will be held later this month.
Smooth transition
Noting that 2012 will see a transition in leadership and usher in a shift from centralized to a devolved Government, President Kibaki emphasised the need for wananchi to realize that Kenya is bigger than any single individual.
"As we prepare for these transition milestones, let us all be reminded that Kenya is one nation. We must therefore take actions which guarantee that we remain a united nation," President Kibaki said. Conveying his best wishes for the New Year to Kenyans in a radio and television address from State House Nairobi, President Kibaki said elections will come and go, but the country will remain.
Kibaki said after finishing his two terms in office, he would be happy to oversee a smooth transition to the new leadership that Kenyans will vote into office. The President thanked Kenyans for the support they have extended to him during his time in office and assured that all the necessary measures will be put in place to ensure a free and fair election.
Kibaki announced that the Government would facilitate the issuance of national identity cards to youth of age to enable them register as voters as the process kicks off in the near future.
With the transition from a centralised to a devolved Government this year, President Kibaki said the country would have embarked on the journey of empowering 47 county Governments that will be charged with managing the affairs of the people at the grassroots level.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga, in his message, challenged Kenyans to embrace a radical change in the conduct of politics, and put an end to the cycle of violence that has come with elections after every five years since 1991. Raila said the country will never attain the much needed double digit economic growth that is necessary for creation of jobs, as long as elections come with uncertainty and violence that lead to slow down before and total collapse after elections.
The PM said the Government would ensure free, fair and peaceful polls as among the nation’s priorities in 2012.
He noted that one of the most critical challenges the country faces in 2012 is to ensure campaigns and subsequent elections are conducted in an atmosphere that is free of scare mongering and ethnic-based competition that have led to violence in the past. He appealed to politicians not to reduce the 2012 campaign to a contest or war between tribes or regions.
"Elections have become very disruptive in our country. We have seen periodic cycle of economic growth, followed by a period of slump and stagnation as campaigns set in with fear and uncertainty. In this period, economic activity slows down, growth stagnates, then election comes and full-blown violence reduces growth to zero and the new regime begins from scratch. We cannot continue running the economy this way. We must stop this cycle of failure in 2012," the PM said.
civiliSed contests
Free, fair and transparent elections will instill confidence in the country’s prospects and avoid the cycle witnessed in past polls, the PM said.
"Elections must be seen as civilised contests, not wars. There will always be Kenya after elections," the PM said. Saying that this year’s elections are historic as the first under the new Constitution, and will involve picking more leaders than in the past, the PM appealed to the Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) to embark on massive education to voters. He called on politicians to help IEBC by avoiding mobilisation along tribal lines.
On his part, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka said as the nation welcomes 2012, there is need to proudly reflect on the tremendous achievements realised so far in social, economic and political spheres in the past year.
He, however, said the strengths and weaknesses achieved so far would later on this year be tested during the General Election.
"It will be the defining moment for us to shape our destiny by embracing restraint, sobriety, love and peace throughout the electioneering period," said the VP. Eldoret North MP William Ruto, accompanied by his wife Rachael and their six children, said he was looking forward to a different and peaceful elections this year.
North Rift region was the epicentre of violence following the disputed presidential results in the 2007 General Election.
"Kenya is a great and blessed nation and leaders should work together and bring a difference. We are looking forward to a peaceful and prosperous 2012," he said.
Ruto who is eyeing the presidency added: "In this election year, we are praying for peace and there should be no bloodshed or destruction of property due to political differences." Urging Christians to support his bid, Ruto said: "Jesus came from a small village called Nazareth and saved the world. We are also from a small village in Eldoret."
Good approach
Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta urged Kenyans to listen to those who will be seeking elective seats and make their choices peacefully. "We must put the ghosts of 2007/8 behind us," he said adding that the way Kenyans conduct themselves this year will determine the country’s future.
"We have a fantastic Constitution that gives us a robust foundation on which to scale greater economic and social political heights. In the last two decades, Kenyans have fought and won the battle for change and reform. The next decade must be spent fighting poverty, and improving welfare of all Kenyans," he said.
Bishop Cornelius Korir, the Eldoret Diocese Catholic Bishop urged Kenyans to choose reconciliation and coexist to facilitate a peaceful election. "Fighting is a primitive culture. Kenyans should embrace dialogue and good approach, while convincing people to support their parties," said Korir.

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