URP leaders step up peace campaign

United Republican Party officials in Nakuru on Friday welcomed assurance by their party leader William Ruto that the coming polls will be peaceful.

Councillors on Friday resolved to step up peace and reconciliation campaigns to avert a repeat of the 2007/08 clashes that pitted PNU supporters against their ODM counterparts.

“We are relieved by our party leader’s commitment to promote peace in Nakuru so that finally we may witness a smooth transition, which has been missing for the last 20 years,” said Mr Paul Chebor.

He said that Nakuru would serve as a role model in driving Kenya to a peaceful transition because Mr Ruto and TNA leader Uhuru Kenyatta had pledged to unite Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities in Rift Valley.

Nakuru was an epicentre of the 2007/08 post-election violence that claimed over 1,000 lives and displaced 650,000 people.

Mr Ruto, who toured Naivasha Constituency early this week, urged Kenyans to support his bid, saying he will usher in a new era if elected president.