Presidential aspirants want peaceful polls

Three presidential candidates on Sunday took their campaigns to Murang’a County where they wooed voters and asked them to maintain peace and unity.

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Party of Action’s (POA) Raphael Tuju and Planning Assistant Minister Peter Kenneth who toured the vast county reiterated they were still in the presidential race.

Mr Mudavadi who is the United Democratic Forum (UDF) candidate attended a church service at Gaturi Catholic Church in Kiharu Constituency and later toured several places to address his supporters.

Mr Tuju was at Weithaga ACK church in Kangema Constituency where he attended a Sunday service while Mr Kenneth also joined worshippers at Kangari in Kigumo Constituency.

Mr Mudavadi said he expected a round one victory in the coming elections as opposed to a re-run saying that was costly and would divide Kenyans.

He said many Kenyans were bound to vote along tribal lines in the first round of the presidential ballot. He urged Kenyans to vote for a capable leader in the first round.

“To avoid Kenya voting along tribal lines, it would be good to win in the first round and ensure stability,” he said.

“It is possible to do it in the first round and if Kenyans can go through the process in a sober and careful way, we can avoid the high cost of a re-run,” he added.

He said his political alliance with other likeminded candidates would ensure that he clinched the seat.

Mr Tuju who spoke at Weithaga also shared similar sentiments stating his alliance with three more presidential candidates will enable them win in the first round during the presidential election.

“A re-run will cost about Sh6 billion and that is too much for this country and so a first round win is crucial,” he said.

The POA party leader said his alliance with other aspirants including Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka would ensure one of them clinched the presidency.

He said they would work out a suitable formula to have one of them vie for the top seat adding that they would support the chosen candidate.

“We have already formed a technical team to draw our formalities and we are sure it will work out,” he said.

Mr Kenneth while addressing faithfuls at Kangari Catholic Church warned politicians against mutilating the Integrity Bill saying it would be the benchmark in selecting suitable leaders for Kenya.