President Uhuru Kenyatta has assured of his commitment to a peaceful, free and fair election next year.
Speaking in Diani when he addressed the second national leadership summit, co-organised by both Houses of Parliament and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), the president urged leaders at all levels – including the opposition – to join hands in ensuring the country delivers a credible election.
“I am making a firm commitment on behalf of myself and my fellow party members, to conduct a peaceful campaign. I urge all leaders to consider signing up to this pledge and most importantly, to work towards peaceful elections,” the President said.
“Ensuring a fair, free, transparent and credible election process is, therefore, the first goal we must all commit to,” he added.
The President pointed out that free and fair elections lead to establishment of a legitimate government where legislators are accountable to voters, a key ingredient of democracy.
“Elections and the electoral process are an integral part of democracy that gives power to our people to choose their leaders. We should not let this critically important process be marred by irresponsible and destructive language during the course of political discourse,” he said.
He challenged Kenyans not to allow electoral violence to define the country’s politics, saying they must not be personality-based but issue-based.
“We can disagree on issues but this should not be the basis for personal hatred,” the Head of State said.
President Kenyatta observed that achieving political leadership should not be viewed as an end in itself but a means to inspire positive change in the economy, positive change in the society and in communities.
“The call and opportunity to lead is a privilege afforded to a few by the people of this great nation. It is a responsibility that we must take seriously and we owe it to our people to deliver on commitments we make,” he said.
By PSCU.