Uhuru, Ruto address rally in Mombasa

Written By:KBC Reporter/KNA,    Posted: Sun, Feb 05, 2012

Uhuru asked Kenyans to unite in peace, prayer and tolerance as the country readies for the next general Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP William Ruto and Kalonzo Musyoka are rooting for a youthful leadership insisting that such leadership should be guided by ideas, issues, programs and policies and not mere rhetoric. The leaders said Kenyans had now come of age democratically and are capable of making informed choices on the kind of leadership they want for their country. Addressing a public rally at Tononoka grounds - Mombasa, leaders present took issue with those opposed to Uhuru and Ruto's presidential candidacy. They claimed that the ICC process was flawed and only targeted African countries.   The team first attended a church service, where intercessory prayers were made on behalf of Uhuru and Ruto as they face charges at The Hague in relation to the post election violence. The two alongside Former Cabinet Secretary Francis Muthaura and Radio journalist Joshua Sang have been indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity arising out of the 2007 post election violence. When called to greet the faithful at the Jesus Celebration Centre (JCC) by Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Kenyatta said ‘Me and my God are going to win' in reference to the ICC indictment. Dr.Wilfred Lai of JCC delivered moving sermons and called on Kenyans to continue praying for the ICC four for God to deliver for them from the serious charges facing them. Uhuru asked Kenyans to unite in peace, prayer and tolerance as the country readies for the next general elections possibly later in the year. ‘Kenya is bigger than all of us and we should keep it in our earnest prayers' said Mr. Kenyatta who recently relinquished the Finance portfolio. Ruto took issue with a local daily for publishing an article critical of him and equating his refrain ‘Shetani Ashindwe' (Satan be defeated) was tantamount to hate speech. He said Kenya was undergoing interesting times and asked Kenyans to continue holding prayers for peace ahead of the coming general polls. The vice president said the four Kenyans facing charges at the ICC for crimes against humanity, rape and displacement were ‘undergoing pain and suffering' and asked Kenyan to join them in prayers for them to get endurance. Kalonzo who said he bore special messages from Ambassador Muthaura and Sang for the gathering said reconciliation and national healing was a critical matter for Kenyans at the moment and continued interdenominational prayers should be held for peaceful elections. The gathering was attended by hundreds of faithful, government ministers and retinue of MPs allied to the three politicians who have all declared interest to run for the presidency in the forthcoming polls.