Candidates commit to peaceful elections

Cord flag bearer Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Jubilee Coalition leader Uhuru Kenyatta, Narc-Kenya’s Martha Karua, Restore and Build Kenya candidate James Ole Kiyiapi, Eagle Alliance Peter Kenneth and Alliance for Real Change (ARK) candidate Abduba Dida during the National Prayers at Uhuru Park on Sunday.[Photo: Standard]

By Rawlings Otieno

KENYA: Presidential candidates in next week’s poll made a rare show of unity to rally Kenyans to vote peacefully and avoid violence witnessed during the last general election.

Unlike many rallies the candidates joined other Kenyans and shared one podium in a Prayer peace rally hosted by self-proclaimed Prophet David Owuor of Repentance and Holiness church.

The candidates led by Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) flag bearer Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Jubilee Coalition leader Uhuru Kenyatta, Narc-Kenya’s Martha Karua, Restore and Build Kenya candidate James Ole Kiyiapi, Eagle Alliance Peter Kenneth and Alliance for Real Change (ARK) candidate Abduba Dida and a host of running mates. 

Amani Alliance candidate Musalia Mudavadi and his running mate Jeremiah Kioni were missing.  

Cord running mate and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka was absent but sent an apology that he wished to be in the rally but was committed to preaching peace ahead of the elections.

With the leaders pledging that they will concede defeat after the polls if God chooses a leader for Kenya.

Dida on particular said that true repentance is hinged on four conditions and asked Kenyans to accept that they have sinned and need repentance.

“If you have grabbed someone’s land, please return it to the owner and ask God for forgiveness,” said Dida.

 Addressing the jubilant crowd waving white handkerchiefs to symbolize peace, Dida cautioned looters of private property, land grabbers and those in possession of property of others to return back the stolen wealth to the owners if their repentance is to make sense.

Kenneth called on the candidates to be accountable to Kenya and assured the congregation that they too will maintain peace and unity even after the elections. 

He said that the utterances of the Presidential candidates should be of preaching peace and stability for the prosperity of the nation and warned that whoever will trigger violence, is not a friend of Kenyans.

“Kenyans are a peaceful people and no leader should ever again divide Kenyans on the basis of tribe, ethnicity, race or creed,” said Kenneth.

The Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua said she would concede if she is defeated in the Presidential race for the sake of peace of Kenya.

She promised that she would do whatever it takes for a peaceful poll and pleaded with Kenyans and other political candidates to observe peace and remain united.

Owuor had earlier called on President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to lead Kenya in observing a national repentance day before the General Election.

According to him, the wave of violence and crime in the country were reasons enough for Kenyans to go before God in prayer and fasting before the polls.

“Repent! God is waiting for you to repent and embrace him!” Dr Owuor told the mammoth crowd at Uhuru Park.

Addressing thousands of faithful who attended the repentance prayer meeting in Nairobi, Owuor said attendance of the meeting showed a healing process for the nation.

He proclaimed that Kenya was now reborn nation and never again will Kenya experience violence and declared that the polls will be peaceful.

“Kenya is being born again. There will be no violence. I now decree that Kenya is a peaceful country and a repentant nation,” said Owuor.

He also warned Kenyan leaders against empty rhetoric that only poisoned Kenyans against each other. The gathering saw some faithful healed who testified of their miracles.

The evangelist attracted a massive crowd in Uhuru Park as people from all walks of life thronged the venue yesterday to receive “healing and repentance” from the preacher.

It was booming business for traders at the recreational facility as thousands thronged the field for the massive prayer meeting.

The preachers at the rally also took a swipe at the men of the cloth for having failed to lead their flock during the 2007-08 PEV and vowed that this time they must take the lead in ensuring that the elections are peaceful.

They said that the aspiring candidates must be interrogated on the basis of their commitment to maintaining peace and unity among the people.

They told the aspirants that whoever triggers violence among the peaceful Kenyans does not have Kenyans at heart and will be condemned and rebuked.