Kibaki alarmed by tribal groupings

By Francis Ngige

President Kibaki has called for tolerance, saying the country should remain united.

Speaking in Nyeri on Wednesday during the opening of a market, the President emphasised the need for Kenyans to respect each other and remain peaceful. Kibaki was concerned with revival of ethnic groupings such as Gema and ‘Kamatusa’.

"It is important we remain united as Kenyans because the country is for all of us. Whenever we speak, we should speak as Kenyans," Kibaki said. The President noted it was the duty of all Kenyans to contribute towards national growth by engaging in income-generating activities.

Kibaki’s concerns comes days after Gikuyu, Embu, Meru Association (Gema) and Kalenjin, Maasai, Turkana and Samburu (Kamatusa) met to consolidate political support and oppose International Criminal Court trials.

The two groupings have rallied behind Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto.

Kibaki spoke at Dedan Kimathi grounds when he officially opened Kamukunji market for secondhand clothes dealers.

He was accompanied by Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet ministers Njeru Githae, Jamleck Kamau, Soita Shitanda, and Esther Murugi. At the same time, the President decried the culture of alcoholism among the youth, which he said was tearing apart the national fabric.

elections held

"Some youth are a disgrace since they drink themselves silly. Where are we going to get the workforce?" posed Kibaki. Kibaki called on local authorities to re-evaluate their by-laws with the view of making them responsive to the need of the small traders.

Kalonzo asked those aspiring for president to respect that Kibaki was still in charge until elections are held. Mudavadi called for national unity as the country approaches elections.

"We should ensure that as we approach elections, unity should remain the most important thing," said Mudavadi. The Sh226 million market will accommodate 500 traders.