Help end tribal tension, Kibaki and Raila ask elders

By Beauttah Omanga

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga have asked elders to help end negative ethnicity.

The two said tribalism had derailed national development and cautioned politicians against using the vice to advance their political agenda.

Kibaki said leaders’ utterances were to blame for deep-seated animosity, adding their behaviour had forced the Government to take deliberate and bold steps against hate speech.

"A key challenge for us at the moment is encouraging positive values and ethical behaviour to promote national cohesion," he said.

He added: "These values will also result in substantial improvement in the quality of leadership, management practices, and efficient use of national resources at all levels and sectors of the economy."

He told more than 400 elders meeting at the Bomas of Kenya the country faces a huge challenge of turning the many cultures, languages, races and religious faiths into an advantage for the common good.

"It is unfortunate that this diversity has been manipulated to the detriment of social harmony. There is need for all of us to build a strong and enduring Kenyan identity that knits all these diverse cultures and peoples into a strong national fabric," he said.

He said the elders possess enormous experience, wisdom and talent critical to national cohesion and development.

The PM said it was an achievement to assemble the elders from all communities for a common cause.

"This is a historic event since independence. We have never organised a forum for all elders to deliberate on national issues," he said.

Initiate dialogue

Raila told the elders they were in a better position to change the country through regular interactions and consultations on national challenge.

He said because of their experience in conflict resolution, they would be called upon to initiate dialogue among communities.

Internal Security Minister George Saitoti and Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo said the Government was working out a mechanism to detect and avert chaos.

Prof Saitoti announced a reward package for the elders who engage in peace building.

The elders’ Chairperson Justice Effie Owuor (Rtd) said the elders were willing to consult regularly to enhance stability.

"The elders are committed to ensuring peace and will use their experience to bring harmony to avoid chaos as it happened in 2008," said Owuor.

And President Kibaki asked the elders to help him convince Kenyans to vote for the Proposed Constitution at the referendum.

He told them the country’s future calls for their guidance and counselling to those who appear undecided on a number of issues.

"If you see somebody lost on this issue, go to him as an elder and talk to him. Don’t harass him for what he or she stands for. Reason with him and tell them that this country needs this thing," he said.

Kibaki asked politicians not to waste time on schemes meant to fight each other on issues of national importance such as the constitution review.

United Nations Development Programme Country Director Aeneas Chuma urged Kenyans to participate in the referendum.