Supporters of the Economic Freedom Party (EFP) leader Hassan Noor Hassan and those of incumbent governor Ali Roba who is vying on a Jubilee Party ticket, in Mandera, July 22, 2017. [Photo|Facebook]President Uhuru Kenyatta has called for a fair and peaceful run-up to the August elections. This follows a clash between two rival groups in Mandera County, who both support his re-election bid.Supporters of the Economic Freedom Party (EFP) leader Hassan Noor Hassan and those of incumbent governor Ali Roba who is vying on a Jubilee Party ticket, clashed, Saturday, in support of their candidates.The rivals hurled stones and other weapons at the Moi stadium, where Uhuru was addressing them.The two gubernatorial hopefuls support Uhuru's second term bid.
“I urge all of you, especially the youth, not to be deployed in a wrong way by politicians. Do not agree to shed your blood for politicians or political causes,” Kenyatta said, as he tried to calm them down. “Let us campaign peacefully. Let us be united. Let our people enjoy a peaceful run-up to elections,” he added, during a campaign tour of the North Eastern county. In Habaswein, where the president was visiting for the first time, he warned residents to shun politicians preaching ethnicity. “You Somalis are the dominant population in Eastleigh (Nairobi). Now, where would you be moved to? Where is your other home?" He assured the people of North Eastern that his government had put in place measures to boost security and ensure their safety before, during and after the August polls.