Francis Atwoli. [Photo/Courtesy]
The Central Organization of Trade Union Secretary General Francis Atwoli has appealed to Jubilee and NASA leaders to approach the forthcoming General Elections with sober minds.
This comes amid soaring political temperatures in the country.
Both Raila Odinga (Nasa) and President Uhuru Kenyatta (Jubilee) are crisscrossing the country hunting for votes.
Cases of alleged incitement have recently been levelled against opposition leader, Mr Odinga, with calls for his arrest dominating headlines.
“It is in the interest of all Kenyans that we hold peaceful elections come August 8th and in order for us to achieve this, our political leaders must tolerate one another and throughout their campaigns preach the peace agenda based on the various political issues that are facing our nation and avoid personality-based utterances including calling for the arrest of one another,” Atwoli said in a press statement.
Atwoli, who has been leaning towards Nasa, said intimidations, harassments as well as calls of arrest are colonial, deceitful and cowardly particularly in an independent Kenya which has a Constitution that provides for freedom of Association and expression.
The Cotu boss said the government should be cautious not to frustrate those who want to air their views freely based on our Economic, Social and Political situations in our Country as this will lead to anarchy.
“It is our strongest appeal to both parties across our Political divides to respect their respective opponents’ views as expressed for purposes of building up a peaceful co-existence that will result in peaceful elections as we are aware that if we plunge this country into anarchy, it is Children, Women and Workers who will suffer most and we don’t want to go there!.” He said.
He asked government officials not play retrogressive politics of intimidation, harassment and instilling fear into the minds of Kenyans as this will be a repugnant way of doing things.