Kibaki rules out fresh polls
President Mwai Kibaki (left) is welcomed by Attorney General Amos Wako on arrival at Naitiri in Kimilili constituency during day-one of his two-day tour of Western Province on March 25, 2009. Looking on is Kimilili MP Dr Eseli Simiyu (second left), Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula (third left) and Minister for Medical Services Prof Anyang Nyong'o. Photo/JARED NYATAYA
Kenya President Mwai Kibaki has ruled out the possibility of a General Election before 2012.
The President cautioned leaders against lying to the public that the country was headed for early elections, saying Kenya had not healed from last year’s violence following the disputed 2007 polls.
He said whoever was interested in elective posts would have to wait for 2012. “We held elections just recently. There are still four years to go before another one is conducted. Whoever was defeated should collaborate with elected leaders for the benefit of the public,” said President Kibaki.
He was speaking after laying a foundation stone for a theatre at Naitiri Hospital in Bungoma North District in Western province.
The President, who is on a two-day tour of Western Province, told off the National Council of Churches of Kenya, which had called for fresh elections.
“Fitina yako haitasaidia chochote kwa sasa. Haifai mwananchi kwa lolote. (Incitement is not necessary. It will not benefit the wananchi in any way),” he said.
The President was accompanied by five ministers, led by Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula. Others were Internal Security minister George Saitoti, Regional Development minister Fred Gumo, Fisheries minister Paul Otuoma, and Attorney General Amos Wako.
In addition, 20 MPs drawn from various political parties accompanied the President.
The Head of State defended the Grand Coalition government against criticism and cautioned MPs against undermining one another.
Common goal
“We are working as a team... We need to strive to achieve a common goal for the benefit of all Kenyans,” he said.
President Kibaki called on the ministry of Lands to process and issue title deeds for farmers in the area to enable them access credit facilities, reduce conflicts, and improve crop production.
He said the government would supply maize seed and subsidised fertilizer to farmers in Western Province to increase crop production and attain food security.
The government would also rehabilitate all rural access roads in the country and construct new ones to ease transport of farm inputs and produce to markets.
