Uhuru told to ease political tension

President Kenyatta has been asked to cool down the rising political temperature in the country as it was hurting national healing and integration.

Speakers at a two-day national conference on cohesion and integration told the Head of State that the tension in a nation that is still divided politically and along ethnic lines needed to be addressed.

“Kenyans often say that some political leaders use ethnic identity and inflammatory statements to mobilise political support. The result is that people are left polarised,” National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) General Secretary Peter Karanja said.

SACRED COWS

President Kenyatta said the government was facing major challenges in realising national cohesion.

The government, he said, would not discriminate against any individual or community and warned that no one would be allowed to cause chaos and strife.

Mr Kenyatta said that his government was ready to partner with other institutions, including religious groups, in efforts to bring Kenyans together.

The government will support all initiatives aimed at national healing and integration, he added.

He commended NCCK and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims for spearheading a peace initiative.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku said there were no sacred cows in the war against insecurity.

“The government is well aware of those who are intent on destabilising the peace in the country,” he said.

Opposition leaders, however, gave the conference a wide berth. Former Prime Minister and Cord leader Raila Odinga had been slated to address the meeting alongside Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero but the two did not attend.