President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged Kenyans to maintain unity, and preserve the nation’s fabric set up by the country’s founding fathers. Addressing Kenyans during the Jamhuri Day fete at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, President Kenyatta said unity is paramount to a realization of a peaceful and prosperous nation, “The unity of our nation is a shield against the danger that has shattered other countries, and it protects us against the enemy.” Politics has ruled the airwaves this year, with divisive cracks becoming evident even after the August general polls and October repeat Presidential elections, and the President was keen to impress a message of peace and unity. He further pointed out that families may disagree on some matters but they’ll be guided by the well being of the family, “They know that disagreement must not lead to discord,” he said, urging Kenyans to reject divisive and confrontational politics.
He said that the Jamhuri Day celebrations provided an occasion for Kenyans to celebrate what the founding fathers imagined and created, “They taught us to celebrate diversity and preserve traditions but not to poison the minds of young people with ethnic disharmony,” he said, adding that there will be a fifth and even a tenth President in Kenya but the country will remain the same.
Moreover, he expressed his willingness to engage in talks with any leader, including opposition leaders as Kenyans look ahead past the politics season, “As the President of Kenya am willing to engage with all Kenyans and Kenyan leaders including my worthy competitors irrespective of their religious and ethnic affiliation in fashioning a new paradigm shift,” he said.
On his part, Deputy President William Ruto said the Jamhuri Day celebration offers Kenyans the chance to celebrate the courage and determination of the founding fathers and all the Kenyans and Kenyan leaders.
He thanked all Kenyans who turned up to exercise their democratic right by voting and choosing the leaders they wanted, saying that the people who voted were part of history. The Deputy President reiterated President Kenyatta’s call for unity, saying the journey ahead will involve all Kenyans, “The journey ahead will involve all Kenyans irrespective of how we voted, and will also involve all leaders, those who are in government and those in the opposition.”