Mudavadi condemns ethnic violence in Tana

By DPPS

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi has urged Kenyans to  unite in condemning ethnic killings in parts of the country.

He said the disturbing killings of innocent Kenyans in Tana River, Mandera and Wajir counties ahead of the General Election has the potential to destabilise the country and undermine the democratic electoral process.

“We cannot have a situation we had a few years ago when we had the intervention of Kofi Annan bring stability to this country and then when we go right back into another cycle of elections violence,” he said.

Mudavadi was speaking when he attended the Annual Conference of Friends Church atFriends Centre Maringo in Nairobi on Friday.

He condemned the revenge killings and hoped that they are isolated cases that are not orchestrated to undermine the elections. “When you go into the details of the violence, you will find it is because some people or groups are beginning to realign themselves ethnically for political purposes,” he said.

He said the same people still think ethnic cleansing will get them elected.“It is unfortunate that we still have a few crooked Kenyans who want to provoke ethnic instability thinking that they would shoo up their numbers during elections,” he said.

He appealed to religious organisations to pray and reconcile Kenyans in conflict.
The DPM reiterated an election is a process of auditing political leadership but not a process of killing people to catapult individuals to political leadership.

Mudavadi said Kenyans should take their time, scrutinise the contestants and choose wisely without undue influence of ethnic considerations. “Let Kenyans not be fooled that the presidency is for rewarding one’s cronies and nepotism. The Constitution has changed that to an office that symbolises the unity, hope and aspirations of Kenyans. Anyone seeking the presidency on the platform of ethnic reward is an enemy of Kenya,” he said.

He said Kenyans must pay tribute to the Constitution by electing their leaders free from any other consideration other than ability.