Uhuru asks Nasa supporters not to interfere with election

President Uhuru Kenyatta addresses residents of Kitengela, Kajiado County, on October 21, 2017 during a tour. He has said there will be security during the repeat election day. PHOTO | PSCU

What you need to know:

  • Mr Kenyatta said that the economy is being put on hold by the political impasse.
  • Mr Kenyatta said Mr Odinga is holding the country at ransom with his demands.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday assured voters of their security on October 26 when the repeat presidential election will take place.

Mr Kenyatta asked National Super Alliance (Nasa) supporters not to interfere with the exercise.

"Their right to boycott elections will be respected; similarly they should respect the rights of those who want to take part in the election," the President said in Kitengela during a campaign rally, Kajiado County.

Nasa leader Raila Odinga has maintained that there will be no repeat election and urged his supporters not to show up at polling stations, until the electoral agency is reformed.

ECONOMY
Mr Kenyatta, who was accompanied by Deputy President William Ruto, said that the economy is being put on hold by the political impasse.

"Right now there are investors who cannot put their money into our economy just because they are unsure of what will happen. Till when shall we continue waiting?" he asked.

He said Mr Odinga is holding the country at ransom with his demands.

FAILURE

"Kenya is not about satisfying the ego.

You should not force people to lose their lives and property just because of your dreams.

Kenya is not about an individual; it is about 45 million of us who must move forward. One man cannot keep us in perpetual election mode.

If Raila, who went to court and got his prayers for a repeat election, will not participate in the election, we are sorry, we must go into elections.

We cannot continue holding Kenyans in suspense," Mr Kenyatta said.

STREET PROTESTS

For instance, the Jubilee leader said plans to put up a sh10 billion factory for processing hide and skins in Kitengela has been halted because of the harsh political environment.

DP Ruto claimed that Mr Odinga is behind violence witnessed in the streets and against people training IEBC staff for the election.

"Anybody organising street riots where property is destroyed and lives are lost should know that there is no room for such in independent Kenya," Mr Ruto said.

ROADS

The Deputy President said that the government has initiated a number of development projects in Kajiado County, including tarmacking the road from Kiserian in Kajiado North to Mashuru in Kajiado East.

"We have also connected over 200,000 household to electricity, up from 90,000," he said.

Also present were governors Joseph ole Lenku (Kajiado) and Mike Sonko (Nairobi); Kajiado Woman Rep Janet Teiyaa among others.