Written by Isura Christoper 2012-03-13 08:44:00 Read 570 Times

Prime Minister Raila Odinga launched the “Kenya Kwanza Campaigns” during the ongoing National Cohesion and Integration Commission’s conference at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre.

 Raila challenged NCIC to fully deliver on its mandate.

 "We must ensure that our competitive politics can and must be made to facilitate cohesion. We must ensure that vested interests are submerged into common interest. Only then shall we move forward in single formation with single purpose to make Kenya a better place for all of us to live."

 The premier called upon politicians to shun away from ethnical politics and endorse political party’s competitive politics that will foster cohesion. He indicated that the conference is timely considering that the country is headed for an election

“As political activity has picked up, we have tried to use our competitive political process to discourage unity and stir up ethnic emotions. We have tried to nurture an excuse that political competition does not and cannot encourage unity. We must march into the future not as tribesmen, races or a select grouping of people, we must march as Kenyans,” he urged.

 Speaking during the people's conference on national diversity, race and ethnicity hosted by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga said that being Kenyan should be a full time commitment not partially a nationalist and most of the time a tribal. Mutunga indicated that beyond the national cohesion and integration commission, all Kenyans have a duty to construct national identity.

 Minister for justice and constitutional affairs Mutula Kilonzo on his part said the new constitution makes ethnicity irrelevant for leaders seeking elective and appointive seats. He revealed that among the 47 political parties only 4 have so far met the requirements.

“The act indicates that any political parties should have a third representation of all the counties and the national phase of the country,” said Mutula. He has cautioned that some of the political parties in the country that are considered as big would not even meet the requirements and deadline of the political parties act

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