Leaders vow to bury the past

Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka on Sunday vowed to observe what they called a national commitment to peace and unity.

The leaders, who included Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, four Cabinet ministers and 20 MPs, were attending the homecoming party of Mathira MP, Ephraim Maina at Karatina Stadium in Nyeri North District.

The leaders urged Kenyans to live in unity despite the chaos that followed last year’s General Election.

The issue of displaced people also took centre stage.

Mr Odinga said it was time for national reconciliation.

He said he decided to form a coalition government with President Kibaki when it became apparent that Kenya was self-destructing.

“There was a lot of hostility in this country. Some people were killed, others injured and thousands displaced.

“I and Kibaki decided that Kenya was bigger than any of us and formed the grand coalition,” he said.

He said priority was being given to the resettlement of refugees.

“We are giving a lot of attention to this issue. I have been meeting the President regularly to ensure that justice is done for those affected,” he said.

Vigorously

Mr Musyoka said he was also pursuing the resettlement of refugees vigorously.

“We will not rest until all have been resettled,” he said.

On the proposed new constitution, Mr Musyoka urged Kenyans to avoid quarrels that characterised previous efforts to come up with one.

“We almost lost this country after the elections and this time round we should enact a new constitution that will benefit all Kenyans.”

Mr Mudavadi said that a new constitution must benefit all Kenyans.