Three governors seek to unite country after poll

Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia (left) is consoled by his Nakuru counterpart Lee Kinyanjui during the burial of his brother, Fr Samuel Wachira. [James Munyeki, Standard]

Some Jubilee Party governors have called for peace and reconciliation in the country after the repeat presidential poll, which the opposition boycotted.

The governors said the October 26 poll divided Kenyans more than ever before, hence the need for leaders to rally for peace.

Governors Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua), Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru) and their Kiambu counterpart Ferdinand Waititu said political rhetoric and hatred was to blame for ethnic animosity among Kenyans. They urged other elected and religious leaders to lead in peace building.

They promised to hold peace caravans across the country.

“We have vowed to come together and engage other governors so that we can unite the country. As we speak, the country is divided along political lines and cannot move forward,” said Kinyanjui.

The governors were speaking at Milangine village in Nyandarua County during the funeral of Fr Samuel Wachira, brother of Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia.

Wachira died in a road accident on the Nakuru-Nairobi highway near Gilgil town last week.

“Elections have come and gone and it is now time to build our businesses.The only way the country can develop is by uniting its citizens,” said Kinyanjui. He urged religious leaders to join in and pray for peace.

Kimemia said the reconciliation should not be left to one side of the political divide and all leaders should come on board to ensure its success.

He said divisive politics does not add any value to the common mwananchi.

“We have seen many countries fail due to divisive politics. This should not be replicated in Kenya,” said Kimemia.

Waititu thanked Kenyans for voting for President Uhuru Kenyatta in the recent election and called on the opposition to accept the decision and move on.

He also urged NASA co-principals Raila Odinga, Musalia Mudavadi, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula to abandon the resistance movement, since it will lead to more divisions in the country other than unity and progress.