Saturday, June 9, 2012

Uhuru blames Kibaki and Raila for violence


Uhuru blames Kibaki and Raila for violence

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By HASSAN HUKA hassan_huka@yahoo.co.uk
Posted  Saturday, June 9  2012 at  22:30
Presidential candidates in 2007 should be held responsible for the violence that followed the disputed General Election, Deputy PM Uhuru Kenyatta has said.
Mr Kenyatta said the unbridled hunger for power among the candidates led to the violence which left hundreds of Kenyans dead and displaced thousands from their homes.
Without giving specific names, the DPM accused the candidates of creating the impression among Kenyans that certain positions must be won by a particular group.
He wondered why he is being accused of crimes he did not commit. “I know right from my house and before the Almighty God that I did nothing wrong. Let me ask you people; was I seeking for any (presidential) votes in 2007?
“Who was seeking votes? Do you know those who were campaigning to be president? Please tell me…” Mr Kenyatta asked. The crowd responded by naming President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka.
He went on; “Did you see Uhuru’s name on the ballot paper? Why then should I be the one to be asked why there were clashes? They should ask those who contested.”
Mr Kenyatta, whose case before International Criminal Court judges enters the crucial status conference stage on Tuesday, said he would not have participated in planning and executing violence.
“I believe that I am a person who loves peace. I am that person who knows that without peace, there is nothing important we can do,” he said.
Mr Kenyatta told his supporters in Samburu County that he would remain in the race for the presidency despite the hurdles posed by the ICC where he is facing charges for crimes against humanity committed after the 2007 General Election.
“I keep asking myself, often when I walk; these people who keep saying that this person has no right to vie because he was involved in the 2007 skirmishes; was I looking for any votes?
“I am in the race for the presidency and the ICC case won’t hold me back. I will be cleared and the truth will prevail in the end’,” he said.
He said the ICC case was a normal court procedure which would not dampen his spirit as he traverses the country to campaign ahead of the elections.
He said his lawyers will be in the court to prove his innocence. “I’ll not endorse anybody because I’ll be here among you campaigning as my lawyers battle the case at the ICC.”
When he appeared at The Hague-based court earlier last year, Mr Kenyatta told the judges that Mr Odinga failed to rein in his supporters who were aggrieved by the results announced by the electoral commission.
“I will not say that he is criminally responsible because I have no evidence,” said Mr Kenyatta in response to a question by Mr Moreno-Ocampo.
“He had political responsibility. If he did not hold press conferences using strong language in that period, if he followed due process and went to court and lastly had he used his political voice to tell supporters to stop the violence, the level of violence would not have been what it was.”
Mr Kenyatta said he could not link the rest of the leadership of ODM with the violence. “He who bears responsibility is the leader. The leader was Raila Odinga. He was the flag-bearer.”
The DPM is among the four Kenyans accused of bearing the greatest responsibility in the violence that followed the 2007 elections and are now facing charges at the ICC.
On Saturday, Mr Kenyatta revisited the 2002 election when he conceded defeat to opposition presidential candidate Mwai Kibaki to avoid post poll violence.
He said that leadership was not only about power but sacrifice and seeking the greater public good. He cautioned politicians against inciting Kenyans to violence as they campaign for positions.
“We must always put the national interest first and be ready to compromise for unity in our country and development,” said Mr Kenyatta.
He warned Kenyans not to tolerate politicians peddling divisive politics at this time when the country is gearing towards elections. He was addressing hundreds of The National Alliance supporters at Catholic Church grounds in Wamba town, Samburu County.
Makadara MP Michael Mbuvi urged the youth to get national identity cards and register as voters in large numbers to influence the country’s politics. He added that leadership is not about acquiring degrees but having character and wisdom to lead.
He criticised the education level required of leaders as set out by the Constitution saying it will lock out capable leaders from serving the public.
Nominated MP Maison Leshomo called on the government speed up restocking of livestock for the herders in Samburu East constituency where people were dispossessed of thousands of their animals by the government in 2009.
“Insecurity is on the rise in Samburu East because the poverty level is high and government is not concerned about their plight,” said Ms Leshomo.

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