Be wary of selfish leaders, Uhuru cautions Kenyans

The President said Cord’s decision to hold its parallel celebrations at Uhuru Park was disrespectful.

President Uhuru Kenyatta during Madaraka Day celebrations in Nakuru on June 1, 2016. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• President Kenyatta noted that he had invited Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) leaders, led by Raila Odinga, to join him in marking the celebrations but wondered why they did not turn up.
• Mr Ruto, for his part, asked opposition leaders to respect the recent ruling by the courts that barred them from engaging in street demonstrations over issues pertaining to the IEBC.
• The President used the occasion to highlight some of his government’s achievements in the last three years, citing the laptop project, improved connection to the power grid, an expanded and better road network, access to safe water and medical care and the cash programme for the elderly as some of the major scores of the Jubilee administration.

By PSCU
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By NATION TEAM
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President Uhuru Kenyatta has asked Kenyans to be wary of leaders who want to violate the Constitution to achieve their selfish agenda.
President Kenyatta said leaders must respect all the institutions established in the Constitution as far as the management and running of the country’s affairs was concerned.
He said it is paramount that leaders and Kenyans in general adhere to the provisions of the Constitution while airing their grievances on any given issue.
“It is particularly saddening that those who were at the front in supporting the enactment of the Constitution are now turning against the same laws,” he said at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru when he led the country in marking this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations.
He went on: “We must be a nation that respects and follows the rule of law.”
The President asked opposition leaders to respect those who have been entrusted with the leadership of the country if they were also to be respected.
President Kenyatta noted that he had invited Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) leaders, led by Raila Odinga, to join him in marking the celebrations but wondered why they did not turn up.
“I invited them (opposition leaders) to this important event but I am surprised that they have not turned up. Maybe they decided to hold their own rally,” said President Kenyatta.
Mr Kenyatta said Cord’s decision to hold its parallel celebrations at Uhuru Park as earlier planned was disrespectful.
The President and his deputy, William Ruto, said the hard position taken by the Opposition against IEBC commissioners among other grievances could cause unrest in the country.
“We can differ, that is right and it is democracy, but it cannot be that things must always go your way as an individual or a few, it becomes hard,” he said.
It was a historic moment as the President held the national celebrations for the first time outside Nairobi, with Nakuru being the first county to host the event.
The stadium, with a sitting capacity 17,000, was filled to capacity, with those unable to access the grounds following the proceedings from screens mounted around the facility.
Security officers were, however, forced to open the gates allowing in more members of the public, who filled half of the stadium arena.
Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto in their speeches said all Kenyans irrespective of class and status are subject to the Constitution and the law. “It is the only way we can remain a nation and only way Kenya can make progress,” the Deputy President said.
RESPECT COURT
Mr Ruto, for his part, asked opposition leaders to respect the recent ruling by the courts that barred them from engaging in street demonstrations over issues pertaining to the IEBC.
Mr Ruto said it was unfair for the Opposition to continue pressing for the removal of IEBC commissioners through unconstitutional means.
“I want to ask our friends in the Opposition to respect the courts that asked them not to engage in demonstrations because it is the same courts that have also allowed them to hold a parallel Madaraka Day rally in Uhuru Park today,” said Mr Ruto.
“It is the same court that ruled that the Opposition should not continue to torment the country through demonstrations. We must be subject to the rule of law,” he added.
He said the Constitution has clearly indicated how the country should be governed.
“It is not possible that the opposition leaders do not have faith in all the institutions established under the Constitution,” said the Deputy President.
“For instance, they say they do not have faith in Parliament, Judiciary and IEBC and yet we recently told the world that we have enacted progressive laws that guide in the running and management of the country,” he added.
He said Jubilee was committed to the implementation of the Constitution, noting that devolution has greatly transformed the lives of millions of Kenyans especially in rural areas.
“We will continue to expand infrastructure, ensure access to clean drinking water, electricity, education and medical care, among other essential services,” said Mr Ruto.
The President used the occasion to highlight some of his government’s achievements in the last three years, citing the laptop project, improved connection to the power grid, an expanded and better road network, access to safe water and medical care and the cash programme for the elderly as some of the major scores of the Jubilee administration.
He said two of the three national days will be celebrated outside Nairobi as he announced Machakos as the host of this year’s second national holiday - Mashujaa Day - to be celebrated on October 20.
Reports by PSCU, Caroline Wafula and Francis Mureithi