Kenyans still divided despite celebrations over ICC ruling, says Mudavadi

ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi has warned that the country is still polarised as the General Election draws near.

Mudavadi asked President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto to embark on uniting the country after their ICC cases were dropped.

“I am not persuaded that we again use the termination of the cases to pump up political ambitions, we have a greater good to perform to this country. Termination of the cases and the celebrations thereof are useless if the presidency shall not reflect deeply on the state of the nation as the country heads to 2017 elections and after,” he said in what appeared a snide attack at the thanksgiving rally for the termination of ICC cases, slated for April 16 at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.

The former deputy premier who was speaking yesterday at Musungu Primary School in Malava during a fundraiser said post-election violence victims were still dissatisfied despite the termination of ICC cases. “We have the spectacle of IDPs mismanaged resettlement where lack of accountability, transparency, discrimination and ethnic exclusion have been the hallmark of the exercise. You cannot forge ethnic integration when there is obvious discrimination of some communities,” he said.

This came as Jubilee leaders ruled out the possibility of President Kenyatta and his deputy splitting after the cases were dropped.

Speaking at Keringet trading centre in Nakuru County, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen said the DP has no intention of running against President Kenyatta in the 2017 General Election.

“People should know that the President and Ruto did not form the Jubilee coalition because of the ICC case. Their aim was to unite the county and ensure peaceful co-existence among Kenyans,” said the Senate deputy Majority Leader.

Mr Murkomen who was accompanied by senators Naisula Lesuuda, Liza Chelule (both nominated) and Kericho’s Aaron Cheruiyot said there was no doubt in Jubilee who will be the presidential flag bearer in 2017.

“Nothing has changed in Jubilee. Our candidate for 2017 is President Kenyatta. In 2022 it will be Ruto. ICC was not the reason we came together. We had a bigger agenda of uniting the country,” he said.

Murkomen said the coalition will now focus on reconciliation and uniting Kenyans.

Ms Lesuuda and Ms Chelule said URP will back President Kenyatta’s re-election bid.

“Rift Valley residents should rally behind the President and his deputy in uniting the country. We held prayers during ICC cases and some people made fun of us. Now they have seen that God has answered our prayers,” said Lesuuda. Mr Cheruiyot urged Kenyans to focus on true reconciliation.