President Kibaki says Kenyans should not gamble with their lives in choosing the country’s leadership.
Speaking in Nakuru where he took his re-election campaign on Saturday, the President urged Kenyans to carefully scrutinise his opponents’ track record before casting votes in their favour.
“You should not experiment or gamble with your lives. You need to ask yourself what some of these leaders have achieved in the past, some of them having been in the government,” the president said.
The outcome of the elections, the President said, would have profound impact on their future lives of Kenyans, and urged them to choose wisely and cast their votes in large numbers.
The President said his opponents had failed in their responsibilities when they served as government ministers and had nothing useful to offer Kenyans.
The President, who addressed a huge rally at Afraha Stadium, said his government had revived vital sectors of the economy and improved the lives of Kenyans.
Present were Vice-President Moody Awori, Kanu chairman Uhuru Kenyatta, Ford-Kenya chairman Musikari Kombo, DP chairman, Joseph Munyao, Shirikisho party leader Chirau Ali Mwakwere and Narc-Kenya chairman Raphael Tuju.
Others were Cabinet ministers Professor George Saitoti, Mr John Munyes, Mr Suleiman Shakombo, Ms Martha Karua, Mr John Michuki, Mr Njenga Karume, Mr Peter Ndwiga and Mr Amos Kimunya.
Also in the meeting were Kerio South MP Nicholas Biwott and assistant ministers Moses Wetang’ula, Stephen ole Ntutu, Jayne Kihara, Alicen Chelaite, Koigi Wamwere, Mwangi Kiunjuri, Danson Mungatana, Petkay Miriti, Wilfred Machage, Peter Munya, Kalembe Ndile and Muchiri Gachara.
Kanu MPs present included Paul Sang and Nick Salat. Other MPs were Macharia Mukiri, Waithaka Mwangi and Peter Gichohi Mureithi. Mr Mungatana, Dr Naomi Shabaan, Mr Ndile, Mr ole Ntutu, Mrs Chelaite and William Mirugi addressed the meeting.
The President left State House Nakuru at around 1.45pm and headed to the stadium in a convoy of over 100 vehicles. He waved to hundreds of people along the road to the stadium.
Leaders who addressed the rally urged Kenyans to re-elect President Kibaki.
“The President should be given another term to consolidate the foundation he has been laying. He is the only person who is not motivated by hatred and greed for leadership,” Mr Kenyatta said.
President wondered what new skills the presidential aspirants had acquired since they left the Government to warrant Kenyans to entrust them with the task of leading the nation.
He said those seeking the presidency lacked a clear agenda for the country and specialised in peddling falsehoods and propaganda to get votes.
The President said his government respects the sanctity of title deeds and urged the residents of Rift Valley Province to disregard those claiming that their land would be taken away from them.
He cited his government’s major achievements as the introduction of free primary education, provision of water, rural electrification programmes, road construction and improved prices for agricultural commodities.
He said the economy had registered an impressive 6.5 per cent growth while revenue collection had improved fivefold resulting in 93 per cent of government expenditure being funded with local taxes.
Mr Awori said the Kibaki administration would in future focus its attention to the welfare of the youth who constitute 60 per cent of the country’s population.
Mr Kenyatta, who said Kanu was united and committed to ensure that the President received another term, invited Mr Biwott to address the gathering.
Mr Biwott said President Kibaki was a nationalist who had rejected attempts by some Kikuyu chauvinists who sought to block former President Moi from ascending to power upon the death of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
Leadership wrangles
Mr Kenyatta said Kanu would spearhead the President’s re-election bid in the expansive Rift Valley Province.
Mr Kenyatta said the party had resolved its leadership wrangles and its members were prepared to re-elect the President for the party to be in the government.
Mr Mwakwere said Shirikisho party had resolved to back the President’s re-election bid as his government had achieved most of the things outlined in the party’s manifesto.
Mr Tuju said some of the leaders seeking the presidency could plunge the country into anarchy.
“Some of these leaders have been using hired goons to harass and intimidate leaders who are independent minded and are going to reverse the democratic gains the country has achieved under President Kibaki’s leadership,” Mr Tuju said.
Mr Kombo said those seeking the presidency were motivated by greed for power, and urged Kenyans to re-elect President Kibaki for the country to continue enjoying peace and stability.
“Most Kenyans want the President to be given another term to continue with his development agenda. Ford-Kenya resolved to back the President as we know that unity is strength,” Mr Kombo said.
Story by WATORO KAMAU and KENNEDY MASIBO
Publication Date: 10/8/2007
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