Kibaki asks leaders to stop trading insults publicly

By Job Weru

President Kibaki has urged leaders to respect each other and avoid foul language in public.

He said it was time leaders learnt how to respect each other and unite all Kenyans without discrimination.

Speaking at Timau during the burial of his cousin Daudi Wambugu Gitumbi, Kibaki warned that public pronouncements meant to belittle other leaders were a drawback to development.

"Tuache mambo ya kutukanana. Wengine wanaona eti ni wakubwa sana (Lets shun abusive language. Some leaders think they are more powerful than others," he said.

"Public name calling and use of abusive language should end and we go on with life," he added.

Kibaki’s comments come in the wake of public spat between the Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and former Higher Education Minister and Eldoret North MP William Ruto.

Last week, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) warned the two against public insults, leading to a halt to a fortnight long escapades.

He said Kenyans must remain united, and at the same time urged parents to bring up their children morally.

"Parents should be role models to their children. Let us ensure we bring them up well so that they can be useful people to the society," said the President. At the same time, Kibaki ordered repossession of public land, especially a road section that Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri claimed had reverted to a private developer.

"We should shun taking over public property. They are there to be used by all people, and not just a few individuals," said the President.

He ordered the PCs to ensure that all land that was registered as public was repossessed for public use.