Top seat candidates pledge peaceful poll
By NATION TEAM newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Monday, January 7 2013 at 00:30
Posted Monday, January 7 2013 at 00:30
IN SUMMARY
- Martha Karua urges Kenyans not to elect leaders who had been tested and found wanting in the past
- PM Raila Odinga promises Cord aspirants free, fair and transparent nominations, urges them to refrain from violence
- DPM Uhuru Kenyatta promises to form an all-inclusive government and unite all Kenyans if elected the next President
Presidential hopefuls intensified their campaigns in various parts of the country with a common message of peace ahead of the March 4 election.
Cord Alliance candidate Raila Odinga addressed a rally in Nairobi’s Kibera estate promising to tackle joblessness if elected, while Jubilee Coalition’s Uhuru Kenyatta and his running mate William Ruto pitched tent in Gusiiland. (Read: PM Odinga pledges jobs for youths)
Amani Coalition candidate Musalia Mudavadi and Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa were in Bungoma County where they urged the Luhya community to resist attempts to divide it and unite behind their candidature.
Narc Kenya’s Martha Karua was in Kayole, Nairobi, where she attended a prayer service and asked Kenyans not to elect leaders who had been tested and found wanting in the past.
Speaking in Kibera, Prime Minister Odinga exuded confidence that he would win.
“I was endorsed as Cord flag-bearer and I have come to announce that I will carry it and will win with a landslide,” he said of the alliance bringing together Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Democratic Movement, Trade minister Moses Wetang’ula’s Ford-Kenya and seven other parties.
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Parade aspirants
Mr Odinga used the occasion at the Kamukunji grounds to parade 14 aspirants who are running on the Cord ticket for the Kibera and Lang’ata constituencies.
He also thanked the residents for supporting him for the last 20 years.
He also thanked the residents for supporting him for the last 20 years.
“From April you will see a big change. We are not going to experiment when we take over power as we know everything,” Mr Odinga said.
At the same time, Mr Odinga asked Inspector General to investigate how a police reservist rose to deputy commissioner of police within five years. He claimed some powerful forces were against the ongoing police reforms.
Mr Odinga promised Cord aspirants free, fair and transparent nominations and urged them to refrain from violence.
In Kisii, Mr Kenyatta promised to form an all-inclusive government and unite all Kenyans if elected the next President.
He noted that it was only through peace that the country could move forward to prosperity.
“Our economy cannot grow without peace and if you vote for our alliance we will make sure you attain it,” Mr Kenyatta said.
He said his decision to work with Mr Ruto was an indication of his will to unite all Kenyans.
Addressing a rally in Nyamarambe on the second day of the alliance’s four-day campaign, he promised to create jobs for the youth.
Mr Ruto accused the Cord alliance of engaging in rhetoric.
He asked Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka to retire alongside President Kibaki.
“MPs passed their retirement package, we ask the two to honourably retire and leave the country to be led by young and energetic leaders,” he said.
In Bungoma, Mr Mudavadi accused his rivals of trying to scuttle his presidential bid.
“We should ask ourselves why there was so much concerted efforts to ensure that no presidential candidate comes from Western. Everywhere they were dismissing Eugene and I saying that we could not make it,” the Deputy PM said. (Read: Mudavadi tells Kenyans to pray for peaceful polls)
He said the Luhya deserved to have a presidential candidate as they formed the second largest community.
Mr Wamalwa, said the presidential contest was no longer a two-horse race. “We are now in it fully and we will emerge as the third force the country seriously needs,” said Mr Wamalwa.
And speaking at the AIPCA church in Kayole, Ms Karua warned voters that it could cost the country dearly if bad leaders were elected.
The Gichugu MP cautioned voters against electing those “whose leadership has been tested and found wanting”.
“You cannot afford to gamble with the presidency of this country for this is not a football match,” she said.
“Fighting corruption, implementing reforms and empowering Kenyans economically are the key issues topping the agenda for our people,” she said.
Stories by Peter Obuya, Lucas Barasa, Raphael Wanjala, Brian Yonga and Jackline Moraa
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