Kenyans don’t want a repeat of 2007/2008 post poll violence, Mudavadi warns politicians

Politicians inciting Kenyans to violence and planting seeds of hatred and discord ahead of the 2027 general elections must be called out, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said.

Mudavadi has described emerging comments from a section of politicians and other leaders as reckless and divisive at a time the country is seeking to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He stated that Kenya is a democratic country, and any leader is free to pursue any political position without infringing on the rights and freedoms enshrined in the constitution and under the laws of the land.

“Leaders must prioritise what is good for the citizens before making any public pronouncements. We need to remind ourselves that we cannot make any progress without there being peace and stability.” he cautioned.

“Leaders should stop threatening the country and its people with narratives that might plunge the country into chaos. Whatever sentiments that jeopardize the unity, peace and stability of the country should be condemned.” he added.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary reminded Kenyans of his involvement in the peace restoration process within the Serena talks arrangement under the then UN Secretary General Koffi Annan, Madam Graca Machel and former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa back in 2007/2008 when Kenya was in turmoil.

He said nobody wants to go that route again and Kenyans should never undermine the peace and stability we enjoy as a country.

“1,400 lives were lost, property destroyed and hatred entrenched within tribes and communities. We spent a serious 42 days negotiating for the peace of our country. President Ruto then in ODM was present among other leaders who are still in the Kenyan political circles. It was not an easy thing. I want the young people of this nation who were not born by then to understand.” he regretted.

Mudavadi said it has gone to an extend that a section of politicians are seen to be exporting tribalism and hate speech to Kenyans in the diaspora, undermining the cohesion built within the Kenyan diaspora.

Mudavadi stated that Kenyans abroad co-exist under unique circumstances and they face diverse challenges that call for a united diaspora rather than being divided within ethnic and political lines with a few individuals who are out to pursue their personal and political interests.

“Sasa mtu ambaye ameshika mammlaka, amekuwa Deputy President kwa taifa hili, anatoka hapa ana export ukabila kule United States, kwa diaspora.”

He regretted adding “Unaenda huko unasema you just want to address people in one language. Sasa ile shida yetu hapa, you are now exporting to the Kenyans living in the diaspora. The bad manners you have here, you are taking to the diaspora. Bure Kabisa!”

Mudavadi explained that Kenyans in the diaspora have been united, because when you are in a foreign land your best neighbor is the Kenyan that you know.

“You don’t look at his tribe, and there is a lot of intermarriage of Kenyans in the diaspora, na wakenya ni kitu kimoja. Sasa mtu anatoka hapa he goes to preach tribalism there. Na hawa wakenya wetu in the diaspora they know how to support each other, kama kuna shida they unite irrespective of the tribe to help that person. Now you come unapanda ndege you pay a ticket of almost 1 million Kenya shillings you are taking tribalism to the diaspora.” Mudavadi further regretted.

The Prime CS was speaking at the Maasai National Polytechnic in Kajiado Central constituency, Kajiado County where he accompanied Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki at the Economic Empowerment Program to support the education of needy students and pupils from the region under the stewardship of Kajiado Central MP, Memusi Kanchory.

He also called on Kenyans to respect the Presidency as a symbol that unites the country and at the same time nurture, protect and defend critical institutions that give guidance within a nation including the executive, parliament and the judiciary.

He warned that the biggest threat to any nation is when critical institutions are dismantled and undermined.

“We need to also respect the independence of the IEBC as a referee as it is a constitutional commission serving all Kenyans and it should be respected and not be seen as to be serving the government of the day or any political outfit. We don’t want the outcome of the 2027 elections to be discredited on the basis of what is emerging as casting aspersions and doubt to the electoral body.” said Mudavadi.

“Leaders should also understand that the younger generation, GEN-Z is looking upon us. When you utter rot and the GEN-Z are listening what outcome do you expect? Ikiwa wewe ni kiongozi na una jina la mheshimiwa na mdomo wako kila wakati ni matusi, ukablia na uhasama sasa wewe unafunza nini kwa hawa GEN-Z? So, if the GEN-Z are wayward then we must ask ourselves are they wayward because of their own volution, or they are wayward because we as the people with the name mheshimiwa are also speaking rot and bad language? It is our society they are our children we must fix it.” said Mudavadi.

He regretted that leaders have now become at the centre of misleading the citizens and especially the youthful generation.