President Uhuru Kenyatta addressing a delagation from Abagusii community in Nakuru.Photo/courtesyPresident Uhuru Kenyatta has reiterated that Jubilee party is commitment to conducting peaceful campaigns devoid of tribal inclination.
Speaking in Nakuru on Wednesday when he and his deputy William Ruto met a delegation from the Abagusii community at the Nakuru State House, Kenyatta added that he was optimistic of emerging victorious after the October 17 presidential election.
“We want leaders to engage in peaceful politics and not destructive ones that can tear the country apart,” said President Kenyatta.While thanking the Abagusii community for supporting him on August 8, Kenyatta said that he was proud that the community also voted in many Jubilee leaders and called on the community to vote for him on October 17.
“I would like to thank you so much because in the August polls you gave us many votes and Jubilee as a party has representation in almost every county in Kenya and there is no any other party as such,” he said.
The President said that although it was painful to have his victory declared null and void, he was very much ready to participate in the polls again in order for the truth to emerge.
He further castigated the Supreme Court ruling that called for holding of fresh presidential elections. He said that he has no problem with the Abagusii community but with the ruling.
The head of state at the same time told off opposition leader Raila Odinga for claiming that criticism on Chief Justice David Maraga as a person was attack on the Abagusii community.
“Imagine you pass an exam and then you are told to repeat the same exam that you had passed…it is so painful….I have no problem with Abagusii community but with an individual who nullified the results,” he said.
On his part, Deputy President William Ruto while echoing the words of President Kenyatta said that the opposition will lose terribly come October 17.
“The Opposition should focus on issues-based politics instead of concentrating on tribal based politics to achieve their selfish agenda," Ruto said.
A delegation of more than 15,000 people from Kisii and Nyamira Counties pledged their support for Jubilee ahead of the October 17 elections.
Several elected MPs from the two counties, who did not support the President in August, pledged to stand by and walk with him in the repeat poll.
Among them were PDP’s Oroo Oyioka (Bomachari), Ezekiel Machogu (National Agenda Party, Nyaribari Masaba), Prof Zadock Ogutu (Independent, Bomachoge Borabu) and PDP’s Innocent Obiri (Bobasi) who was away with apology.
The Gusii delegation said they would work hard to ensure that more people vote for President Kenyatta and were optimistic that President Kenyatta will win the Oct 17 repeat polls by a bigger margin to form the next Government and want to be part of it.
Other MPs from Gusii community who will spearhead the campaign for President Kenyatta’s reelection are MPs Shadarack Mose (Kitutu Masaba), Joash Nyamoko (North Mugirango), Milly Omanga (nominated), Samuel Arama (Nakuru Town West), Jimmy Angwenyi (Kitutu Chache North) and Richard Tongi (Nyaribari Chache).
The MPs included members of the People’s Democratic Party, who announced that they would rally behind the President’s re-election.
Others were former MPs Joseph Kiangoi, Walter Nyambati, James Magara and former CIC chairman Charles Nyachae.
The leaders said they would mobilize the Abagusii voters to support the reelection of President Kenyatta when the repeat presidential elections are held in October 17.
The legislators dismissed claims by the Opposition that Kisii and Nyamira Counties were its strongholds, saying they will be in for a rude shock come the next elections.
In the August polls 52 percent of voters in Nyamira backed President Kenyatta while 48 percent in Kisii voted for him.