Only honest talks will unite Kenyans, say elders
Members of the Group of Concerned Kenyans Initiative (GCKI) Wilfred Kiboro (left) Ms Florence Mpaayei and Lt Gen Daniel Opande where they called for peace, social cohesion and tolerance amongst Kenyans. Let’s change the business of Kenya from politics to the business, where business means the diligent and faithful implementation of the legal, political, social, economic, cultural, and institutional tenets of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and Vision 2030. PHOTO/JEFF ANGOTE
What you need to know:
- The Group of Concerned Kenyans Initiative Friday said the issues raised by Cord in its call for a national dialogue were important but talks could not be held in a charged political environment.
- Lt Gen Daniel Opande, said President Kenyatta and Cord leader Raila Odinga should make a public call for peace.
- The current grandstanding among politicians, he said was putting the country in bad light.
Politicians have been urged to tone down rhetoric that could polarise Kenyans but seek a more inclusive forum for dialogue away from political rallies.
The Group of Concerned Kenyans Initiative Friday said the issues raised by Cord in its call for a national dialogue were important but talks could not be held in a charged political environment.
Mr Wilfred Kiboro, a member of the group, said issues such as insecurity and corruption that are the basis of the Opposition’s call for dialogue did not only affect politicians but all Kenyans and that the agenda was best not driven by political leaders.
“How do you hold dialogue with 200,000 people at a political rally? Such discussions would require only 15 such people to discuss such issues in a much more inclusive forum,” he said.
The group’s chairman, Lt Gen Daniel Opande, said President Kenyatta and Cord leader Raila Odinga should make a public call for peace, social cohesion and tolerance among Kenyans in the face of the charged political environment.
He said Cord’s planned rallies on Monday and the call to boycott work could lead to anarchy.
They spoke Friday at the group’s media briefing in Serena Hotel, Nairobi.
He said there was need for Kenyans to conduct their affairs differently, rather than seemingly hopping from one crisis to another and taking up machetes to solve their differences.
“If other nations were confronted with what happened at Mpeketoni, the killing of 60 people, Westgate and the travel advisories that have made thousands of youth at the Coast to lose jobs, they would have been so concerned as to put measures to ensure such things do not recur. We should learn to do things differently,” he said.
The current grandstanding among politicians, he said was putting the country in bad light, affecting tourism and investments, and called for peaceful, inclusive dialogue to help find solutions to some of the issues facing the country.
Mr Kiboro said the constitution which took Kenyans over 20 years to develop, was a tool to address challenges facing the country, and urged Kenyans not to seek ways that are outside of its provisions in a bid to solve our differences.
The group said the current poisoned political atmosphere was of concern especially following reports that Kenyans in parts of the country were fleeing their homes for fear of violence due to the charged politics.
Lt Gen Opande said calls by Mr Odinga to hold the Saba Saba rally at Uhuru Park on Monday, including calls for people not to report to work, may constitute a stepping stone towards anarchy, unless such drumming up of the rally is done in a peaceful manner.
“Kenyans fought for political space and freedom of expression we enjoy today but these rights come with responsibilities,” he said referring to a statement the group issued Friday.
The group urged politicians to show leadership and speak to each other constructively and ensure the lives and security of Kenyans are put first, even as solutions are sought to challenges facing the country.
