Kibaki urges politicians to end public spats

President Kibaki has asked politicians to respect each other and desist from exchanging harsh word in public.

The President said it was unfortunate that some leaders had tried to outdo each other at hurling insults in public gatherings instead of seizing such opportunities to show leadership.

“Kwa nini binadamu anatharau mwengine na mambo yote haya ni ya Mungu? Hakuna haja.  (Why should a human being disrespect another and yet all things come from God. It is pointless),” he said.

Without mentioning names, the President said that some had perfected the art of being hardliners, cheating, engaging in shows of might and “standing tough and insulting others” with the hope of drawing popularity.

“People should learn how to respect each other because it will be a fitting example to the rest of Kenyans,” he said.

He seemed to be hitting at leaders who have of late taken to public podiums to discredit each other.

On Thursday, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) warned Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Eldoret North MP William Ruto and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta to stop using abusive language.

Mr Ruto and Mr Kenyatta have taken to publicly attacking Mr Odinga, and he has not been left behind hitting back at the two in equal measure.

The commission, which is mandated to tame hate speech and other divisive issues that might polarize the country ahead of the 2012 elections has warned that some of the public statements by the leaders, even though not bordering on hate speech, had the potential of dividing Kenyans especially along tribal lines.

President Kibaki had steered clear of the raging public attacks between leading politicians and their cronies, which has seen some of them take hardline position on issues that are shaping public discourse such as the Ocampo six, and issues to do with implementation of new constitution.

One camp is opposed to the notion of deferral for suspects named by ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo , while the other is in favour of a one year postponement of the case.

The pro-deferral group has embarked on shuttle diplomacy to woo support for local trials from regional and international states, a move sharply opposed by a group aligned to Mr Odinga’s ODM brigade.

Issues to do with filling constitutional offices and other aspects of implementing the new Constitution, has also been divisive.

President Kibaki was speaking at Timau area in Laikipia County during the burial of Nanyuki businessman Mr Daudi Gitumbi at his farm.