Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Photo/FILE
Posted Sunday, April 8 2012 at 20:17
Prime Minister Raila Odinga has asked Kenyan leaders to tone down their ethnic rhetoric for the sake of national unity as the country heads for polls.
He urged the politicians to “stop sounding ethnic drums” during the campaigns to lessen tension and intolerance among various communities.
The PM, who was addressing a congregation during an Easter Sunday mass at the St Stephen’s Cathedral in Kisumu, cautioned the politicians to argue their cases based on ideologies and policies rather than tribal considerations.
Economic strides
“Let’s disagree on the basis of ideologies rather than tribal leanings. It is unfortunate that opportunism and hero worshipping have taken centre stage in the political arena, where the principle of truthfulness doesn’t hold” he said.
Mr Odinga regretted that the country failed to make tangible economic strides because the crop of leaders that governed the nation in the past was not committed to the country.
He, however, said Kenyans still had an opportunity to rectify the situation by electing credible leaders who could place the country in the league of developed nations.
Developed nations
“We cannot allow to be compared with the worst examples when our economy can match those of developed nations only if we put sound leadership in place,” the PM said.
Mr Odinga said he will not be cowed into abandoning his vision for Kenyans following reports that his life was in danger.
He asked leaders to stop creating “fear and despondency among the people” because he was still alive and was not afraid of death.
His reaction comes after Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo elicited mixed reactions from many quarters when he claimed that there was a plot to assassinate Mr Odinga. (PMPS)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment