Elect visionary leaders, VP urges Kenyans

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has urged Kenyans to elect an experienced and visionary leaders who will unite the country.

Mr Musyoka called for tolerance during campaigns and asked Kenyans to pray for a peaceful transition period.

"I urge you to choose for president a person who has the right experience in leadership, and is committed to unite all Kenyans regardless of their tribes, he said at his Yatta farm, Machakos County when he hosted a delegation of leaders from Tana River County.

"If you allow yourselves to be misled, you may end up electing a person who will not only divide Kenyans, but also pit them against one another as we saw in 2008, Mr Musyoka cautioned.

The delegation comprised of opinion, religious, civic, youth and women leaders led by former Bura MP Mohammed Sheikh Galgalo and parliamentary aspirant Halima Ngare.

The VP maintained that he was firmly in the presidential race and urged the leaders to support his bid.

Create wealth

He said his presidency will champion the unity of all Kenyans, as well as creation of wealth for all through implementation of various youth and women-focused programs.

He allayed fears that the proposed anti-terrorism bill is targeting Muslims, saying caution would be exercised to ensure that all the rights of Kenyans are protected while the threat of terrorism is fought.

“The new Constitution does not allow discrimination of anybody or any religious group but accords equal rights and freedoms to all Kenyans.

"As lawmakers we will ensure that the new Bill upholds this principle, while it provides us with the tools to fight this crime (of terrorism) that has threatened the peace and security of our country and indeed that of the entire region and the world," Mr Musyoka said.

He urged the youth to take advantage of the government's Sh300 waiver on identification cards to acquire the document and actively participate in the next General Election.

"Acquisition of an ID will enable those who don’t one to enjoy his or her national right such as registering as voters or accessing financial loans for self-improvement," he said.

Equalisation Fund

He said the government was committed to uplift the marginalised areas through the implementation of the Equalisation Fund provided for in the new Constitution.

At the same time, the VP commended the joint initiatives undertaken by communities living along the common Tana River and Ukambani region to promote peaceful coexistence.

Mr. Musyoka said peace taskforces comprising leaders from the two regions would continue working towards finding a lasting solution to the sporadic skirmishes that have characterised the region for a long time.

“I am satisfied with the peace efforts taking place between the two communities since our last peace meeting at Bangale in Bura constituency recently.

We will ensure that two taskforces from concerned communities are encouraged to entrench these efforts further so that our people can live harmoniously and concentrate on development activities” Mr Musyoka said.

The function was also attended by members of Kamba Council of Elders led by former PS Sammy Mbova, former Principal Immigration Officer Frank Kwinga, Prof Mumo and former Clerk to the National assembly Japeth Masya.