Sunday, January 6, 2013

Raila, Kenneth appeal for peaceful elections



SHARE BOOKMARKPRINTRATING
PHOTO  |  PMPS Prime Minister Raila Odinga (left) talks to Kenya National Congress presidential aspirant Peter Kenneth (centre) and Raphael Tuju during the funeral service for Mzee Kirimi M’Muna in Imenti Central.
PHOTO | PMPS Prime Minister Raila Odinga (left) talks to Kenya National Congress presidential aspirant Peter Kenneth (centre) and Raphael Tuju during the funeral service for Mzee Kirimi M’Muna in Imenti Central. 
By KENNEDY KIMANTHI kkimanthi@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Saturday, January 5  2013 at  22:00
IN SUMMARY
  • Prime Minister and Eagle coalition partners call for increased security as they share platform
SHARE THIS STORY
 
 
 
0
Share

Three rival presidential contenders on Saturday shared a podium in Meru County with a message to Kenyans to ensure a peaceful transition after the March 4 General Election.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Eagle coalition partners Peter Kenneth and Raphael Tuju asked politicians to preach peace as the country approaches the first election under the new Constitution.
Mr Odinga seized the occasion to urge the Inspector General of Police to hasten implementation of reforms to ensure peaceful elections.
He said the security challenges that faced the country in 2012 should be dealt with accordingly, adding that the reforms could be achieved in the remaining months before the elections.
“We need a reformed police force as we go to the polls on March 4, 2013, and it is possible to achieve this,” said the PM.
He was speaking at Kibirichia Boys’ Secondary School in Buuri District during the funeral service for Mzee Kirimi M’Muna.
M’Muna was shot and killed by gangsters in Nairobi on December 26, 2012.
The PM said it was unfortunate that many Kenyans continued dying at the hands of criminals who are never apprehended.
Mr Kenneth asked politicians to run their election campaigns on a national and non-ethnic platform.
He said the election contest should not take “political undertones” that would pit different political supporters against each other.
The Gatanga MP urged Kenyans to elect a president who will strengthen the country’s economy through development programmes.
At the same time, Mr Kenneth asked for increased security in the country ahead of the elections.
“Kenyans pay taxes, and the government ought to protect its citizens from attackers. It is important that we are assured of the government’s commitment in safeguarding its citizens and their property,” he said.
He urged Kenyans to elect a leader who embraces servant leadership to lead the economic transformation of the country.
Mr Tuju said that once Kenyans are united and pursue a common vision, the country will realise accelerated development.
Mr Tuju called on Kenyans to tolerate one another irrespective of their political affiliation.
“We, the leaders, have to inculcate national values among our people to maintain peaceful co-existence,” he said.
Others who attended the service were MPs Gitobu Imanyara (Imenti Central), Kiremi Mwiria (Tigania West), former Ntonyiri MP Maoka Maore and ODM activist Mpuru Aburi.

No comments:

Post a Comment