Uhuru: Government will not tolerate violent protests by NASA

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto address supporters in Embu town during a campaign tour of Embu and Tharaka-Nithi counties. [Joseph Muchiri, Standard]

President Uhuru Kenyatta has warned that the Government will not tolerate violence by the Opposition in their street demonstrations planned for today.

A tough-talking Uhuru said although the Opposition was free to hold peaceful protests, "any kind of violence or destruction of property will be met with the full force of the law".

Uhuru, who was accompanied by his deputy William Ruto on a campaign tour of Tharaka Nithi and Embu counties, cautioned against any acts of violence and hooliganism.

National Super Alliance (NASA) leaders have planned mass action starting today to "remove" from office some Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials.

On Monday, Uhuru also maintained that the repeat presidential election must be held on October 26 as stated by IEBC.

“They (NASA) have announced that they will engage in street demonstrations tomorrow (today) instead of holding campaigns. Demonstrating is their constitutional right. But we are telling them if they attempt to destroy food, torch people kiosks, break into shops, stone motorists or stop other Kenyans from going to work, they will know that there is a Government,” he said.

Uhuru addressed rallies at Chuka University, Chuka town in Tharaka Nithi and later, Runyenjes and Embu towns.

The President said even though he disagreed with the Supreme Court ruling that nullified the August 8 presidential election results, he had accepted a re-run because he was a peace-loving and law-abiding citizen.

He accused NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga of wanting him (Uhuru) to defy the ruling so that Kenyans could fight one another.

“We value the lives of fellow Kenyans more than being in leadership. We are not afraid to repeat the election because the same God who gave us a win in the first attempt is the same God now, and the same Kenyans will vote for us,” he said.

Uhuru affirmed that the election was not held to suit the interests of an individual, adding that there were constitutional provisions that said Raila should not dictate how the election is held.

Mr Ruto echoed the sentiments, saying even Uhuru as the head of State and Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces could not stop the October 26 election, and wondered how Raila could.

“The IEBC has no problem. The court found the commissioners not culpable. The governors and senators of NASA are fighting the same body that declared them winners. The main plot is to stop the election so that a coalition government is formed,” he said.

Felt aggrieved

Uhuru revealed that he felt aggrieved that the repeat election would consume resources that could have been used on road construction, electrification and other critical sectors such as health and education.

He said the noise emanating from the anticipated re-election had occasioned a slowing down of the economy.

“Today we launched our campaigns officially to mobilise a large voter turnout and ensure that they send him (Raila) home to retirement so he does not nag Kenyans anymore,” he said.

The leaders appealed to Embu residents to come out in large numbers and give them a second term, saying Jubilee Party was now in full campaign mode.

They said they would reach out to all Kenyans with messages of unity, development and quality delivery of services such as education and health.

Ruto said they wanted to win with a margin of three million votes. The two criticised Raila as lacking an agenda for Kenyans while engaging in empty rhetoric.

Embu leaders who spoke at the rallies included Senator Njeru Ndwiga, Governor Martin Wambora, Woman Rep Jane Wanjuki, MPs Cecily Mbarire, John Muchiri, Geoffrey King’ang’i, Muriuki Njagagua and Eric Muchangi, Kirimari MCA Morris Nyaga and former senator Lenny Kivuti.