By PMPS
NAIROBI; KENYA: Prime Minister Raila Odinga has asked Kenyans to come out and put their great nation in the hands of men and women who will faithfully oversee the great transition.
In his New Year message, Raila stated that coming to the end of an eventful and largely successful year 2012 marked five years of a challenging but rewarding journey.
“Out of the dark clouds of the 2007-2008 violence, we grabbed the silver lining and lay the foundation for a new Kenya,” said Raila.
He remarked that Kenya has recovered its breath and endorsed a new Constitution adding that as Kenyans we created a framework for a stable, peaceful and prosperous future.
He expressed his thanks to President Mwai Kibaki for the cooperation that enabled Kenyans come this far.
“I wish the President well in his last months in office and urge him to steer the remaining phase with the impartiality that it deserves.”
As he focused on the New Year 2013, Raila said Kenyans have an appointment with destiny pegged on the first General Election under the new Constitution.
He appealed to every Kenyan who registered as a voter to take up the sacred, patriotic duty and vote on March 4, 2013.
Raila went on to say that before Kenyans get to March 4, they have enormous house-keeping matters to address adding that there is consensus Kenya's future will be bright if the next election passes off peacefully.
Elections
On elections, he pointed out that too often elections in Kenya mean loss of lives yet there is nothing to be gained from it but just too much to be lost.
“As politicians and candidates vying for various positions, we must provide the kind of moral leadership that will move our country to a different plane” said the Prime Minister.
He called on Kenyans to ensure that the horrors of the past, the impunity and poverty and unemployment, will not be part of their future adding that Kenyans should shun the politics of patronage and ethnic share-outs that leaves the masses feeling let down.
He appealed for calm, maturity and restraint across the nation and intolerance to hooliganism as a path to power.
Youths
He warned the youth to reject hooliganism as a means of propelling parties and candidates to leadership but debate on ideologies and policies, not ever-shifting alliances, based on ethnicity, personality and status in society.
“I know no better way to ensure our economy grows by double digits after elections and beyond.
“If we have insecurity and instability every election year, all our hard work to encourage investment in Kenya will fail,” Raila averred.
He urged Kenyans to support the IEBC in its undoubted commitment to holding free, fair and credible elections. That let us remember that the 2007-2008 violence resulted from electoral fraud.
He said Kenya has many well-wishers out there and pleaded for their honest and steadfast support at this historic moment.
International community
He appealed to the international community to give Kenya a chance and support its determination to achieve a new beginning pointing out that security is central to peace and stability during and after elections.
Raila also congratulated Mr David Kimaiyo, the Inspector General of Police on his appointment and promised him his support and that of the entire government.
He expressed that Kenyans hope to see foundations being laid in the Police Force for the kind of reforms so far witnessed in our Judiciary as they head to elections.
The prime minister also congratulated the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) for their patriotic and exemplary role in liberating Somalia and securing our land.
He called on Kenyans to have a sense of purpose in all what they do and be committed to real change.
“Let us have a commitment to real change, real opportunities, real reform and a real future for everyone.”
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