No room for coalition government, says President Uhuru Kenyatta

Nairobi, Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta Sunday said that there is no room for coalition government and asked the opposition to play a constructive role in the country.

He said opposition leaders who have been asking to be included in the Government should forget such a possibility and instead play their role responsibly.

“Hakuna mambo ya nusu mkate (There is no half loaf)” he said. Nusu Mkate is a euphemism for the coalition government which former President Mwai Kibaki formed with opposition leader Raila Odinga with the latter appointed as Prime Minister in 2008.

The President said he was happy that the opposition was willing to offer ideas to the government in tackling the challenges facing the country.

He said the Government has in the last five months been putting in place structures for a national dialogue conference to discuss the challenges facing the country.

The dialogue will be within the established channels, he said, and asked the opposition to stop acting recklessly at a time the country was facing new threats like terrorism.

He was speaking at Nyayo National Stadium where he led the nation in marking the 51st Madaraka Day.

“It’s good you want to talk because the Government has programmes to talk about many issues that are facing us like the wage bill and terrorism” he said.

The President said constant politicking will never bring progress and told Kenyans that hard work and responsibility was the key to achieve desired results.

“The unity of purpose requires each of us to do our jobs. Those of us in Government must serve all Kenyans impartially. Those in opposition are called to offer the ideas that will help this nation leap the hurdles that block our path to the prosperity and unity we deserve,” the President added

The President said national unity is needed now more than never before as “terrorists, thieves and poachers threaten our lives, our property and our national heritage”.

To beef-up security, President Kenyatta said Government has embarked on installing CCTV cameras in major cities and towns, as well as broadband connectivity at border points.

The Government has also provided at least 1200 vehicles for police, which in time will also be equipped with CCTV cameras.

Nearly 8,000 young men and women have joined the disciplined services and Sh 2.9 billion has been set aside for the recruitment of additional 10,000 police officers this year.

He announced Government plans to establish a national digital register next financial year to gather and store accurate data on security and immigration issues.

“Contrary to the voices of controversy, our only aim is to unify the management of our information into a single, credible source of truth about matters of public concern,” he added.

As the country celebrates its 51st Madaraka anniversary, the President said, leaders must respect one another and the established systems of governance.

“In a country as diverse as Kenya, we will always find issues to disagree about. What Madaraka asks of us is that when we disagree, we reason together respectfully”

He said some leaders have forgotten the responsibilities they carry and have “yielded to a narrative of negativity, which sees every ill in their mother-land, and their countrymen, and rejects every good.”

Deputy President William Ruto said the Government will work for all Kenyans irrespective of who they voted for and called on politicians to stop diving Kenyans on fake narratives.

“This is one government, one country and people. Let us work for the unity of this country” he said, as he also asked Jubilee politicians that they have a bigger burden of fostering unity in their own regions.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, who was given an opportunity to address the gathering, got a rapturous welcome.

The Governor said he will play his part to ensure the peace in the city is not compromised.

“We have lived in peace and we want that peace to continue” said Kidero, who was booed at an opposition rally yesterday.

Kidero said he will never stop working closely with the National Government and as required by the law.

The celebrations were attended by the First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, Cabinet Secretaries, members of the diplomatic corps and other dignitaries.

Later at State House Nairobi, the President and First lady hosted a colourful garden party attended by Cabinet Secretaries, members of parliament and members of the diplomatic corps among other invited guests.