Written by Protus Simiyu 2012-05-27 11:04:00 Read 643 Times

Trade minister moses Wetangula shaking the hand of the Gichugu mp Martha Karua where they attended the burial of Mama Ruth Simiyu who was a retired lieutenant Cannon of the Salvation Army Church.  Photo | Protus Simiyu.

Trade Minister Moses Wetangula has appealed to political leaders in country to be on the fore front to preach peace and unity among communities ahead of the pools.

The minister said political leaders have a noble obligation to ensure there is unity and integration to avert similar skirmishes that occurred in 2007 after the unprecedented presidential results.

Addressing mourners in Sichei village in Sirisia constituency, Wetangula urged political leaders to refrain from divisive politics instead focus on uniting communities.

The Sirisia legislator said the Luhya community was in good position to produce the 4th president of the republic of Kenya, saying this can only be possible if there will be a unity of purpose among political leaders in the region.

“We cannot pretend to be championing unity in the country when the Luhya community itself is totally divided, we must unite ourselves before going out to look for support from other regions,’’ he urged.

On his part the Gichugu MP and NARC Kenya party leader Martha Karua said people vying for elective positions should be elected in regard to their ability and development track record without basing on the tribes they come from.

She said that under devolved government systems the country is now divided into 47 counties and that time when leaders were identified by the provinces they come from are long gone.

Karua said tribal groupings like GEMA and KAMATUSA should not be given room in the current constitutional dispensation saying Kenyans should embrace themselves as one community in diversity.

Concerning elections, Karua noted that the forth coming general elections should be held before December 31st 2012 in regard to the provisions in the new constitution.

“This is the fifth year of the current parliament and the law is very clear that elections should be held after every five years, any elections after 31st December 2012 will be illegal,’’ she said.

The Gichugu legislator said the Executive and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission must ensure elections are scheduled for this year to give Kenyans to elect leaders they want.

She refuted claims from some sections that the slow passage of laws by parliament could delay the elections asserting that the forth coming general election is not in any case dependent to passage of any laws by parliament.

Also present was the Lands Assistant Minister Bifwoli Wakoli who raised the need for leaders in Bungoma County to unite ahead of the elections.

Wakoli who is the Bumula Mp said all presidential candidates from western region should come together and face a common nomination exercise and losers to support the winner if at all they wish to take up the leadership of the country after the general election.

Mama Ruth Simiyu passed on at the age of 74 being a retired Lieutenant Canon of the Salvation Army Church who was eulogized as steadfast woman with keen interest for development.  

Switch to Our Mobile Site