Deputy President William Ruto has taken issue with opposition leader Raila Odinga over the 2017 presidential election, a move that has caused mixed reaction with Garissa residents.
This is after Raila while addressing a group of Kenyans in the diaspora in London, United Kingdom on Friday, said that the General Election was not free and fair.
Mr Ruto, speaking on Sunday at St Francis Chaptarit Catholic Church said that Raila should accept that Jubilee won the 2017 elections.
He said that it was wrong for some leaders to purport that they were working with the government, while on the other hand they go around the country and the world claiming that elections were rigged.
DP Ruto said leaders should be honest in their calls for unity saying the country is still in the process of healing and that leaders should accept that Jubilee won the 2017 elections.
“As leaders, we should be honest, exercise truth, and not propaganda; the integrity of our actions should guide us. There is, therefore, no need for someone to go round the country and the world with propaganda that Jubilee did not win the last General Election. Kenyans decided and we won it fairly.”
“The biggest threat to our democracy, our progress, and stability are people who have questionable democratic credentials; dictators who participate in elections, and yet they do not accept the outcome of any election,” said DP Ruto.
Some of the residents in Garissa support Mr Ruto’s sentiments while others disagreed with what he said.
Here are some of their reactions:
“I support what Ruto has said. We need to move forward and work towards building this country. Politics is over and we should focus on development,” said Mr Ahmed Sukre.
“Raila was pointing out the fact that 2017 elections were rigged and this could happen again in 2022 if the issue is not addressed,” Mr Mohamed Abdi said.
“Raila has a right to talk about the 2017 elections even though it’s a sensitive topic. Jubilee and NASA should just work together to build the country,” said Ms Amina Balo.
“Time for politics is over. What Ruto has said is true, the leaders should work together to unite the country,” said Mr Hussein Osman.