Rift Valley council of elders are a worried lot over what they termed developing tension in government since last year’s March 9 Handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Addressing media in Nakuru led by their Patron Gilbert Kabage, the elders said the tension might lead to the political upheaval witnessed in 2007/2008.
According to the elders, despite the President urging leaders to keep off the 2022 politics, already there is a section of politicians grouping to discuss the 2022 presidential election.
They called on President Uhuru and his deputy William Ruto to ensure the country remains stable.
“Tension is developing in Rift Valley with some leaders feeling the DP has been sidelined. We therefore call on President Kenyatta and his deputy to ensure the country remains stable towards 2022,” said Kabage.
The elders, while calling for peace, appealed to the 'pro-Ruto and anti-Ruto campaigners to think of the country first before engaging in politics'.
“As we talk now the country is divided ... we have pro-Ruto and anti-Ruto groups. But we need to shelve politics of 2022 and focus on uniting Kenyans as well as the development agenda,” said Kabage.
The council's chairman Gabriel Ndung’u on his part questioned the success of the Building Bridges initiative if the ongoing wrangles will escalate.
He said at the moment, the country is facing a lot of challenges ranging from corruption in major government projects.
“We are seeing political utterances even in churches and the question we are asking will the Building Bridges initiative succeed really? Kenya is facing a lot of challenges including corruption in major projects which should be addressed,” said Ndung’u.
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