Kiambu County Assembly speaker Gathii Irungu has called on politicians across the political divide to focus on uniting the country.
The speaker also wants politicians to exercise political tolerance and maturity.
Speaking at Kiambu headquarters on Wednesday during the award of certificates to beneficiaries of the Vusha Empowerment Training Programme, Mr Irungu said that politicians should not allow their interests to tear down the country.
The speaker said that raising political temperatures is not good for the peace of the country. He stated that politicians must tone down and focus on uniting the country.
“Political leaders across the political divide should tone down and put much focus on preaching unity as we approach the 2017 general elections,” he said.
The Assembly speaker said that peace was crucial ahead of the elections.
“It is our responsibility as leaders and Kenyans to champion for peace as we head to the general elections,” he said.
Gathii said that political intolerance could easily dump the country into violence if not checked.
The Assembly speaker urged the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to be firm and crack the whip on leaders who perpetuate violence.
He said that NCIC has the mandate to spearhead unity and cohesion across the country.
On Tuesday, NCIC said that Kiambu was among counties that have been mapped out for possible violence in 2017 elections.
NCIC, however, said that it has taken appropriate measures including recruitment of peace monitors and observed to curb violence ahead of the 2017 general elections.