Uhuru accuses Cord of polarising country through confrontation politics

President Uhuru Kenyatta has told Opposition leaders to stop what he termed as confrontation politics.

Speaking at Garissa Primary School playground in the final leg of his three-day tour of north-eastern Kenya, the President, who was accompanied by his Deputy William Ruto, said even though everyone has a right to protest they should do it in a peaceful manner.

“Let us use the Constitution for anything we want to achieve, the right to demonstration does not mean you carry stones in your pockets. It doesn’t mean you step on mama mboga who was there for a whole day to get her daily bread. It doesn’t mean you go and loot shops and disrupt people going about their businesses,” the President said.

Opposition leaders have been holding protests in a bid to force commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to leave office over what they term bias and incompetence.

DP Ruto also urged all leaders to exercise restraint and do things in way that brings harmony adding that confrontational politics only divide Kenyans.

“Those protesting to have IEBC removed, know the Constitution and street protest will not make them (IEBC) leave office.

“Protests will only result in destruction of property and shedding of blood,” said Mr Ruto.

VISITED GARISSA UNIVERSITY

On Saturday, the President opened the Garissa Huduma Centre, commissioned the Nunow-Modogashe Road and visited the Garissa University College where 147 students died in 2015 after a terrorist attack.

With regard to the issuance of identity cards, President Kenyatta directed Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery to ensure residents get the document.

The Jubilee leaders were accompanied by cabinet secretaries Joseph Nkaissery (Interior), Eugene Wamalwa (Water) and Adan Mohamed (Industrialisation).

Others included Garissa Governor Nathif Jama and MPs Aden Duale (Garissa Township), Elias Bare Shill (Fafi), Shukran Gure (Garissa woman Rep), Ibrahim Ahmed Abass (Ijara) Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete).

In the first leg of the tour on Thursday, Mandera Governor Ali Roba assured residents of the government’s support.

“I have been telling the locals here in Mandera that the government has given us the best support in the security sector and we can sleep at night and do business without fear.

“We have never received such support in the past administrations but only through your leadership,” he said.

Senator Billow Kerrow described the visit as a positive gesture.

“I have been among leaders who have complained a lot about the President failing to visit Mandera that voted for him a hundred per cent, but finally he is here and we need him to fulfil his promises to us,” said Mr Kerrow.

Additional reporting by Manase Otsialo