President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday urged Kenyans to remain united and to treat each other as brothers as the country heads into the next elections.
Speaking when he led Kenyans during this year’s Jamhuri Day Celebrations at the Nyayo National Stadium, President Kenyatta said Kenyans should strive to maintain peace in 2017.
“I do not have to remind you what disunity looks like. We know all too well what happened the last time we failed to treat each other as one family. So I will close by asking every Kenyan one single thing: in 2017, I ask you to be your brother’s keeper,” said the President.
He said democracy requires that leaders respect the verdict of the public and political competition should not lead to destruction.
“We will disagree robustly because we are a democracy. But that disagreement will have limits. We will not fight,” said the President.
He said those who contest elections should accept the results, or challenge them following legal means instead of choosing the path of chaos.
“Anyone who lets political competition tip into hatred of another Kenyan is utterly unworthy of their sacrifice,” the President said.
He called on Kenyans to unite and be inspired by the nationalist covenant, which has been the foundation of the country’s nationhood and the inspiration for the continued struggle against poverty, disease, and ignorance.
“Our duty today is to honour the heroism of those who won our liberty, and to consider the journey we have traveled as a free people,” said the President.
He said many Kenyans have forgotten the strength of unity, which the independence heroes valued in the times of colonial darkness.
“Patriots like Jomo Kenyatta and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga; Tom Mboya and Makhan Singh; Masinde Muliro and Paul Ngei; Bildad Kaggia and Achieng’ Oneko set aside their differences, and joined hands to overthrow the colonial order,” said the President.
He added, “In their unity, they were indomitable; in our disunity, we are defense-less.”
He cautioned today’s leaders against tearing apart what the first generation heroes achieved.
He said the founding generation would disown whoever makes a Kenyan feel unworthy because of his ethnicity or faith.
“The founders of this nation taught us that a Kenyan is anyone devoted to this country. Let us never forget their lessons,” said the President.
Speaking during the occasion, Deputy President William Ruto urged Kenyans to embrace patriotism and be proud of the country’s achievements.
The colourful celebrations were also attended by foreign dignitaries including President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe of Togo and the Deputy Prime Minister of Jordan, Nasser Judeh.
By PSCU.