James Gatharia (with a fly whisk) and Kikuyu elders pray under a Mugumo tree at Ha Gacira, Lari. [Photo: the-star.co.ke]
As the October 26 presidential election fast approaches, a bodyguard of Kenya's first President the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta has called on Kenyans to value the country and respect its institutions.
James Gatharia has also urged Kenyans to maintain peace during the Thursday presidential poll. “The date has already been gazetted and the IEBC is set to conduct the election. It is our duty to participate. If one does not want to vote, then he or she should remain at home and wait for the results to be announced,” Gathaira said as quoted by the Star.The 95-year-old freedom fighter, however, expressed fears that the current political stalemate would divide the country. "The political standoff between Jubilee and the opposition should not be celebrated because it will tear the country into parts. This can be can be avoided," Gathaira said.He spoke on Sunday at Ha Gacira, Lari.