President Uhuru Kenyatta flanked by Deputy President William Ruto
consoles Mrs Joyce Ngugi, widow of the late Hon Joseph Ngugi (Gatundu
South MP) and his family on arrival for the deceased burial service at
Nembu Mutati, Kiambu County on May 30, 2014. PHOTO | NATION
Jubilee leaders Friday mocked the
opposition’s move to hold a political rally Saturday, with President
Uhuru Kenyatta asking Cord to wait for the next elections.
President Kenyatta said Kenya was a free democracy where anyone had a fair chance at leadership.
“In
less than five years, there will be another election where Kenyans will
be free to choose who will lead them. In the meantime, let us work
together for the betterment of this country,” the President told a
funeral service for former Gatundu South MP Joseph Ngugi Nyumu at Nembu
Mutati in Kiambu County.
He called for peace in the
country, saying that his government’s priority was to unite Kenyans and
improve the life of every citizen.
While acknowledging
that every Kenyan had unassailable rights, the Head of State called on
leaders to ensure they did not interfere with other people’s rights to
enjoy theirs.
“People should not abuse their rights, but should exercise them responsibly,” he said.
Other
leaders at the funeral service echoed the President’s words, saying it
was time for them to work together for the good of the country and not
to divide it along political lines.
National Assembly
Majority Leader Aden Duale reminded the country that Jubilee dominated
both legislative chambers and they were not bothered by what the
opposition intended to do.
“They can hold all the
rallies they want,” he said in reference to the opposition. “Jubilee is
strong and will continue to move forward.”
TIME TO WORK TOGETHER
Kiambu
Governor William Kabogo called on the President to “crack the whip” on
the opposition, saying their insistence on holding a rally at Uhuru Park
today breached Kenyans’ rights.
“This is the time for
all of us to work together for the development of this country,” said
the county boss, adding: “We should all rally behind the President to
ensure that Kenya moves forward.”
Cord members are
welcoming their leader Raila Odinga, who has been in the United States
on a lecture tour for almost three months, with a rally at Uhuru Park.
The
rally sparked controversy earlier this week after Inspector-General of
Police David Kimaiyo had imposed a ban on political parties, citing the
country’s precarious security situation.
The Head of State later directed the police boss to lift the ban and allow Cord to go ahead with the rally.
INCITING UTTERANCES
Jubilee
had also planned a rally to run concurrently with the opposition’s.
However, it eventually cancelled it, saying that they recognised the
strain it would put on the country’s security forces.
Jubilee
leaders have accused the opposition of inciting utterances at rallies
Cord held in Kibera, Baba Dogo and Mlolongo in Nairobi last week.
Also present at the funeral was Deputy President William Ruto, who said that the days of negative ethnicity were over.
He said that Kenya could only move forward as a united nation under one capable leader.
“The
President and I have an agreement that Kenya will never again walk the
path of disunity and tribalism, hate and negative ethnicity,” he said to
a cheering crowd.
“It is the responsibility of all leaders to support the President to ensure that this country prospers.”
Mr Ngugi collapsed and died at his Runda residence in Nairobi last week, leaving behind a wife and two sons.
The
leaders praised the former MP for his commitment to his constituents,
citing several development projects he had started in the constituency
formerly represented by Mr Kenyatta.
The President said that the country had lost a great leader and promised to see his development projects completed.
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