President Uhuru Kenyatta addressing Kisumu residents on April 18, 2017. [Photo/PSCU]
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday kicked off his two day tour of lake side city, Kisumu.
He was received warmly by the locals, who stopped his motorcade at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Street, demanding that he addresses them.
The Jubilee Party leader was attending the National Drama festivals gala at the Kisumu State Lodge.
However, in his address, the President, who is seeking a second term in office, did not root for his re-election directly.
He instead asked Kisumu residents, who in the previous election voted overwhelmingly for his rival – Raila Odinga – to elect “whoever they want”.
“Kenyans have a right to elect whoever they want. Whether you are a Luo, Kamba or Kikuyu, you are free to vote for the leader you want,” Uhuru said on Tuesday.
He also asked the youth to avoid divisive politicians.
“My message to the youth is not to allow yourselves to be misused by politicians. If they want you to fight one another, reject their calls. Ask them to use their children to fight each other and not you,” he said.
Unlike in other rallies where the President has been hitting at Raila directly, he was reserved when addressing the Kisumu residents.
At some point, the locals chanted unga! unga! (flour! flour!) – demanding that he intervenes so that the price of flour is lowered.
Currently, a 2kg packet of flour retails at Sh150.
The government had promised to ensure the price goes down to Sh115.