Robert Ochoro and Luke Awich @PeopleDailyKe
President Uhuru Kenyatta has blamed Opposition leaders for the 2007/08 post-election violence, saying they incited Kenyans against one another, causing deaths, destruction of property and displacement of Kenyans.
Addressing leaders at Nyanturago stadium in Nyaribari Chache constituency, Uhuru, accompanied by Deputy President William Ruto, appealed to Kenyans to shun leaders who incite them to cause chaos.
He said former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga knew what happened during the skirmishes and it was wrong to link Ruto to the chaos when some Opposition leaders incited Kenyans to violence after President Mwai Kibaki was declared winner.
The Head of State added that the country had wasted many years due to negative politics. But last evening, while reacting to the remarks, Raila passed the blame to the President claiming the perpetrators of the skirmishes are well known within his circles.
“I have learnt of claims by President Uhuru Kenyatta while visiting Kisii earlier today (yesterday) that I played a central role in the 2007/08 post-election violence and that I am responsible for Kenya’s stagnation,” said Raila in a statement.
“We understand the desperation of the President for something to hang on to and re-energise. We, however, advise the President to look around his entourage as he visits Kisii and also look into the mirror if he is interested in the truth on the 2007/08 violence,” added the ODM party leader.
Raila, however, dismissed the President’s claims accusing Jubilee of doing little to help victims of post-election violence. “We remind the President that the Gusii-land he is visiting is littered with post-election violence victims who are yet to be compensated, including a widow who had only her husband’s skull to burry,” added Raila.
During the tour, Uhuru commissioned the Kebuku-Nyangusu and Omoringamu Sengera roads. The President was accompanied by Senator Chris Obure, Education CS Fred Matiang’i, Water CS Eugene Wamalwa and Kisii Women’s rep Mary Otara, MPs Joel Onyancha (Bomachoge Borabu), Richard Tong’i (Nyaribari Chache); among others.
Meanwhile, Kisii deputy governor Joash Maangi yesterday defected to Jubilee Party and pledged to support Obure’s gubernatorial bid. Maangi, who wanted to contest gubernatorial seat through Jubilee Party, succumbed to pressure after Ruto said he supported him to secure a ticket to travel abroad and it was time to for him to return the favour.
After officially making the move, Ruto lauded him for his gesture, saying the Jubilee government will reward him after winning the August polls. Maangi, who has periodically contradicted himself on who to support for presidential and gubernatorial seats, lauded the National government for improving infrastructure at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital and upgrading of the Daraja Mbill market at Sh300,000 million.
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