President Uhuru Kenyatta has asked the opposition to be consistent and follow the Constitution if they are honest in their push for reforms on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
He decried the selective application of the Constitution by Cord, saying the country’s supreme law must be respected and used at all times.
“God gave us a new Constitution that provides a way forward on the IEBC. We must not only use the Constitution when it favours us but also when it does not. We must not use the Constitution only for our convenience,” President Kenyatta said.
The President – who was accompanied by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta – was speaking Friday in Nairobi when he led the country at annual National Prayer Breakfast organized by Parliament.
He said God has great things to do for the nation, adding that the Constitution must be given room in addressing the issue of IEBC.
President Kenyatta said laws are not formulated to suit the interests of a few individuals but for the good of the nation.
The Head of State asked leaders to be trustworthy and steadfast in what they say and do.
“Trust is about being consistent in what you say and what you do. Trust is not about convenience,” President Kenyatta said.
Saying trust is the cornerstone of the nation’s progress, President Kenyatta said suspicion, doubt and mistrust will not move the country forward.
He called on Kenyans to emulate the country’s founding fathers who were steadfast in their love for the country and went beyond personal interests to secure the country’s independence.
“Let us ask ourselves 53 years down the line, what legacy will we have left behind,” President Kenyatta said.
Emphasizing the need for the country to pull together, the President prayed for peace and unity to make the nation great.
“We must unite in things that will make this country great. We cannot succeed unless we pull together,” President Kenyatta said.
Deputy President William Ruto said people who are not patient to be led do not have what it takes to lead.
He expressed confidence that Kenya will have a good year and a peaceful, transparent and fair election because God is on its side.
“If it was not unconstitutional, we would propose to make the National Prayer Breakfast compulsory because the country cannot move forward without God,” the Deputy President said.
National Assembly Speaker Justine Muturi said freedom of religion is a value that the country safeguards diligently.
The Speaker emphasised that regardless of one’s faith, religion must be used as an instrument of peace and harmony not violence.
By PSCU.