The ugly war of words between Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his former ally Musalia Mudavadi political camps is unfortunate, a blow to our young democracy and recipe for political instability.
This bitter exchange, if not checked, poses a real threat to peaceful campaigns and elections and it is important for the two camps to exercise a ceasefire.

The trend is likely to poison the already volatile and toxic political environment in the country thus, polarising and dividing our motherland further. The overall consequences are just but too dear to contemplate.
Already, Kenya has had more than enough of political squabbles and currently, we Kenyans are extremely facing more tragedies and crises in the name of insecurity, land slides and floods, road accidents, massive corruption and unprecedented impunity that has substantially damaged our reputation and it makes us look as if we are ever at war with ourselves.

We Kenyans are fatigued by the never-ending dramas in the political arena which don’t add value to our lives but instead make the local environment unfriendly for investors. Let these politicians and their strategists be reminded we are closely monitoring them on how they are hitting each other over this or that reason. Remember, two wrongs don’t make a right.
Further, it is time leaders realised Kenya can’t prosper on politics of character assassination, use of vulgar language, propaganda and hate speech all in the name of campaigns.

These attacks and counter-attacks have no place in a modern, progressive and democratic Kenya. We must uphold rule of law, respect one another’s political opinions and right of association.
All politicians should be warned that vulgar language and use of unorthodox political strategies will take us nowhere.
{Enock Onsando, Mombasa}

The political atmosphere is increasingly becoming toxic as the General Election draws nearer. The intrigues pitting erstwhile allies of Raila and his deputy have added to the poison. The two camps have resorted to insults that cast them and our nation in a very negative light.
Politics is a game of competition but politicians should not be so obsessed with winning that they throw caution to the winds. After all contests must not be turned conflicts.

It is time all aspirants used this chance to articulate and sell their policies to the voter, complete with action plans, but not turning the political arena into a battlefront.
Kenyans must unite and say no to individuals keen on dragging our great nation back to the dark experience of 2007/08.
{Fidelis Kavinya, Thika}

The bitter exchange between Raila and Mudavadi camps presents the voter with an opportunity to vet the two presidential aspirants. It is an opportunity to read and find out who is telling the truth about each other, the PM or the DPM?
However, Mudavadi’s call for Raila’s retirement along with his coalition partner President Kibaki is politically not viable and reeks of shallow politicking.

The PM is not bound by the constitutional two-term limit that is sending Kibaki home. Again, the DPM has been part of the coalition and if the PM has to retire, Mudavadi, too, must retire.
As a matter of fact, if there has been failure by the coalition in addressing challenges we are facing as a nation, then the PM, his two deputies and the President are all guilty.

However, for now, the most important issues that the PM and DPM must address are how they will alleviate poverty among Kenyans. We need to hear politics driven by ideologies not personal attacks that are not changing the quality of education neither are they addressing the issue of crumbling healthcare.
With these and other challenges facing the ordinary citizens, where do Raila and Mudavadi camps get time for rhetoric and personal attacks? This is political immaturity.
{Patrick Mutua, Kibwezi}

No let up until we see sanity in NHIF
As we watch the NHIF saga unfold, it’s now clear a lot of money has been embezzled from the fund. There is a wide scheme from some quarters to misappropriate workers’ money.
Dubious awarding of millions of public funds to private non-operational medical outlets is not only comical but also interesting.
The decision by the Prime Minister Raila Odinga to suspend the entire NHIF board of directors pending investigation is welcome but he should also go ahead and suspend the minister in-charge.
Suspension of the new NHIF contribution rates is well-advised. Those employers who were quick to deduct money from their employees towards NHIF kitty should refund immediately.  Forensic auditing and investigations should be carried out by a credible and independent organisation so that the matter can be solved with sobriety.
Quality healthcare
Other government departments should also be subjected to the same scrutiny and those involved in any form of corruption be brought to book or take responsibility.
With or without the NHIF medical scheme, it’s the responsibility of the Government to make sure every citizen receives quality health care.
The chapter on Bill of Rights in the Constitution provides that every person has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, which includes the right to health care services.
Kenyans should demand good healthcare from the Government because it’s their constitutional right. Good health care is fundamental to all Kenyans and should not be put on sale at the expense of vested personal gains. Workers and contributors to NHIF are keenly watching.
{Isaac M Mutua, Njoro}

Plot against ICC too little too late

As Justice ministers and Attorneys General representing African countries converge in Addis Ababa to plot an offensive against the International Criminal Court, one thing stands out — their collective lack of vision.
To many, these are ‘too little too late’ attempts to block The Hague-based court at a time impunity is at its very best in the content. The latest move is akin to suggesting Africa should be an island despite decades of mismanagement by self-conceited leaders who commit crimes and rob their countries with impunity.
That the criminal justice system in Africa has failed is one fact many local leaders do not want to accept.
Why would anyone fear trial before any court if s/he is innocent? It is clear agents of impunity will always hold sway in Africa.
{Victor Odula, Rongo}

NCIC must prove ability to curb hatred

Feedback
ICC denies Uhuru, Muthaura requests for oral appeals
The biggest undoing of the Kenyan suspects is their combative stance.
The way they push their case without listening keenly to ICC, gives the impression they cannot allow anything to stand in their way when they want something.
Peace lovers have the ability to meet the opponent halfway, trying to understand the other’s perspective and making efforts to persuade them that it is not the right one. Bulldozing causes the other party to be on the defensive and shuts you out.
A simple lesson many of us learnt growing up but discarded by these leaders.
The absurdity comes when they turn around and blame others for the blunders they have made. Kenyans are wiser than these leaders  would have us believe.
Janice, Nairobi
Africa’s new plot against The Hague
The AU has no history of dealing with despots who trample down their citizens. It has always protected the ignoble status quo in Africa, and its current intentions must be seen as such.
Bon, Kenya

This is a waste of time and resources.
Nguka, Kenya
All these frantic efforts by the Government does not give the impression of one looking for justice but rather one looking for an opportunity to dodge justice.
The African leader’s concept of justice is biased towards the powerful. Justice should be universal and the ruling of a judge in one country should satisfy the cry for justice from any person on the globe.
Janet, Kenya

African leaders pushing for the ICC agenda fear for their future because of evils they did are coming back to haunt them. Steve, Kenya