President Uhuru says Kenyans are tired of endless politicking

Kenya's President and presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta cast his ballot at the Mutomo primary school his hometown in Kiambu county, October 26, 2017, during the repeat elections. [PHOTO/ JOHN MUCHUCHA]

President Uhuru Kenyatta has said he would reach out to Opposition leader Raila Odinga should he win the repeat election.

Uhuru said the president-elect had the responsibility to unite the country and if he would be declared winner he intended to reach out to Raila, who boycotted the election.

“It will be the responsibility of the one who will win the repeat presidential election to heal and unify the country. Should I win the election, it will be my duty to do that and it is my intention to reach out to him (Raila). Let us first get through this election,” he said.

He added: “Campaigns are divisive and it is the responsibility of whoever is elected president to deal with those divisions, to heal and bring the country together."

He spoke after casting his vote at Mutomo Primary School in Gatundu South constituency, Kiambu.

Uhuru said he was hopeful of securing a second term but regretted that political competition had divided Kenyans along tribal lines.

“As a country, we have to deal with tribalism since we cannot achieve our goals if we continue with tribalism. We must end politics of ethnicity in the country,” he said.

The Head of State emphasised it was time for the country to move on, saying Kenyans were tired of endless politics.

He was accompanied by his mother Mama Ngina Kenyatta, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, Governor Ferdinand Waititu and area MP Moses Kuria, among other local leaders.

The President arrived at Mutomo Primary School at around 11am to a thunderous welcome by voters who were queuing to cast their votes.

He said it was his hope the country would be able to move forward after yesterday's election, adding Kenyans were tired of electioneering.

Uhuru maintained the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was an independent constitutional agency and there was no need of attacking its officials or barring them from carrying out their duties.

Kenyatta said it was the democratic right of every Kenyan to elect leaders of their choice.

The President said he had received information that 90 per cent of the country was peaceful and calm and that voting was taking place.

He said he was yet to be briefed by IEBC on whether elections in areas where it did not take place would be repeated or not. IEBC chairman in his briefing said there would be repeat elections in Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori tomorrow.

The President said Kenya had proved to the world that it was a mature democracy following the peace and tranquillity that followed the nullification of the presidential results by the Supreme Court last month.

Accepting verdict

“As a country, we set (an example) in the African continent by accepting the verdict of the Supreme Court, which other African countries should follow,” he said.

And Deputy President William Ruto said he hoped yesterday's presidential vote would mark the end of the protracted campaigns to get the country back to normalcy.

He said Kenyans were free to make their choices, but added it was unfortunate that Raila had led his supporters in refusing to vote.

"It is unfortunate that some of our compatriots may not have the freedom to choose their leaders because of the will of others who do not wish their supporters to vote. It demonstrates that everybody can choose what they want and that is the essence of democracy - that you can choose to participate, you can choose not to participate, you can choose to think for yourself or you can allow somebody to think for you..." the DP said.

Mr Ruto braved the morning chill in Turbo, Uasin Gishu County, and walked for about three kilometres to Kosachei Primary School while acknowledging greetings from jubilant residents along the way.

Ruto said the repeat election process had presented Kenyans with an opportunity to make their own choices and stated that rights for all including those who voted and those who did not should be respected.

“As a presidential running mate, it is a great moment for me because Kenya has come a long way in democratic maturity where citizens have the right to make own decisions... We’ve had almost a whole year of campaigning in Kenya. It is time we started doing the most important things for the people of Kenya," he said.

"I want to thank Kenyans who (exercised) their democratic right. We do not take it for granted, but our Constitution guarantees and our sovereign nation give us the opportunity to do this. This is yet another moment for all of us as Kenyans to be proud of our country," he said.

Foster development

Ruto was accompanied by his wife Rachel and MPs Janet Rotich (Turbo), Caleb Kositany (Soy) and Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), among other supporters.

Ruto urged Kenyans to remain united to foster development.

“Up to a few days ago, there have been intrigues, games and attempts to put obstacles and deny Kenyans their right to vote but God has been on our side since we respected the constitutional institutions that are charged with managing our affairs,” said the DP.

The DP said leaders elected to the positions other than the presidency had since been sworn into office and were exercising their mandate as required by the law. He said it was ridiculous that those who filed the petition were elected in the same process managed by the same system.

“In any competition, there is an opportunity to win and also to lose. Those who lose still have an opportunity to organise themselves for another competition next time. We even tried in 2002 and lost,” said Ruto, referring to his support for Uhuru who took on Mwai Mibaki, now retired president.

The DP claimed the Opposition had run away from the repeat election because of fear of defeat. “Our competitors are frustrated because they cannot win,” added Ruto.

Ruto regretted that for the past one year, the economy had taken a beating due to fear by investors and businesses also deteriorated due to demonstrations in some regions.

“Five international conferences were cancelled and CHAN games that were to be hosted in the country had to be relocated due to politics,” noted Ruto.

The DP said Kenya was a country governed by the rule of law and respect for the Constitution and dismissed Opposition's new movement, saying any civil disobedience would fail. He also said any attempts to root for illegitimacy of the repeat polls would fail.

Meanwhile, Mr Kibaki braved an afternoon downpour to cast his vote at Munaini polling station in Othaya. He was accompanied by county commissioner Ngumo Karuku and regional traffic commander Jane Kuria.

He was received by former Othaya MP Mary Wambui.

Reporting by Sarah Nyakio, Kamau Maichuhie, Josphat Thiong'o and Titus Too