Calls of unity mark final campaign days

The winners and losers in the referendum have been urged to exercise restraint while celebrating or expressing their reservations on the outcome.

The call came on Sunday from House Speaker Kenneth Marende after he opened a Seventh Day Adventist church in Nairobi’s South C estate.

Mr Marende said Kenya should remain united after the Wednesday vote. “We want to see an outcome that will leave the Kenyan nation intact and stronger.”

More messages of peace and tolerance marked Sunday’s campaigns, which end on Monday.

With the events of the 2008 post-election violence still fresh in the minds of Kenyans, women legislators and lobbies allied to either the ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ camps appealed for unity beyond August 4.

The 22 members of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association said the country stood to gain more by remaining united no matter which side won.

“The ‘No’ and ‘Yes’ teams should accord each other respect and dignity and ensure peace even as they carry out their final rallies,” they said in a statement.

Women suffer the most when chaos breaks out, said the lawmakers. “Even if the ‘Yes’ side wins, the ‘No’ camp is still entitled to its beliefs,” said Dr Sally Kosgei, a member of the ‘Green’ team.

Dr Naomi Shaban from the ‘Red’ camp added: “Accepting the proposed law is binding Kenyans to an irreversible mistake. But even then let us vote ‘No’ peacefully.”

Elsewhere, the Katiba Sasa lobby also appealed for peace and co-existence.

During their weekly press briefing on Sunday, the Rev Timothy Njoya urged the country to emulate the unity displayed by the Kenyan athletes and fans at the 17th Senior Africa Athletics Championships.