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Mombasa residents follow the Supreme Court proceedings from a Mombasa hotel.
[PHOTO: KEVIN ODIT/STANDARD] |
By Ngumbao Kithi and Renson Mnyamwezi
KENYA: Muslim leaders in Mombasa have urged supporters of President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to respect the Supreme Court ruling.
The Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, the Muslim Human Rights group (Muhuri), and the Kenya Muslim Advisory Council (KMAC) asked Kenyans to remain calm.
Muhuri Executive Director Khalid Hussein said Kenyans must avoid conflict. He asked supporters of Uhuru and Raila to respect the court ruling as they had promised before the matter was heard in court.
“The two contenders must respect the Supreme Court and I ask their supporters to remain calm,” he said. KMAC Chairman Sheikh Juma Ngao said all supporters must remain calm following the ruling. “The ruling read by the Supreme Court must be respected,” he said.
In Taita-Taveta County, leaders and residents expressed mixed reactions over the court ruling. Those allied to Uhuru celebrated, while those of Raila were disappointed.
“I told residents during my campaigns in the county that Uhuru will be the fourth President of Kenya, but they voted overwhelmingly for the PM. They have seen for themselves and let God be called God,” said Gender and Children’s Minister Naomi Shaban. Taita-Taveta Governor John Mruttu and Women Representative Joyce Wanjala said they were disappointed after the Supreme Court verdict. “I am upset over the court ruling. There is nothing we can do and we have to support the winner,” said Mr Mruttu.
Ms Lay said: “There is nothing we can do. We have no alternative, but to work with the Government because Uhuru has the numbers in Senate and Parliament.”
Vision Party branch chairman Dominic Masese also claimed the judgement was not partial.
“Going by the evidence given in court by CORD lawyers, we expected the Supreme Court to be fair. The court has not done justice to Kenyans by ruling in favour of Jubilee,” he added.
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