(PSCU) – President Uhuru Kenyatta has thanked Kenyans for turning out in large numbers to vote for him, urging them to do the same to express their supreme will in repeat elections on Oct 17.
President Kenyatta said he was ready for the repeat polls ordered by the Supreme Court and welcomed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s announcement of the date for the fresh election.
“First, I want to thank the people of Kenya for coming out and voting for Jubilee leaders from Members of County Assembly all the way to President. I urge you to turn out in large numbers to vote for me again and safeguard our democracy,” President Kenyatta said.
The President spoke on Tuesday during a meet-the-people tour of Ongata Rongai, Kiserian and Ngong in Kajiado County where thousands of residents turned out to assure him and Deputy President William Ruto of support.
President Kenyatta also spoke against opposition leader Raila Odinga’s consistent attempts to divide the country along tribal lines.
The President cited the example of Mr Odinga playing the tribal card by insisting that criticism of the Supreme Court ruling that annulled his election victory was an affront to the Gusii community. Chief Justice David Maraga is from the region.
President Kenyatta said he had a right to express his misgivings about the Court like any other Kenyan feeling robbed.
The election was about numbers, the President said, adding the court had subverted the people’s will.
On development, the President assured Kajiado residents of the dualling of the Kiserian – Bomas of Kenya road to ease traffic congestion.
The President also assured Kenyans that the free secondary education was on course if he is re-elected on October 17.
Deputy President Ruto emphasized that the presidential repeat polls will be held on October 17 as set by IEBC despite threats by the opposition to boycott the exercise.
He said Kenyans would go to the polls as set by the IEBC following the directive of the Supreme Court after nullifying the August 8 presidential polls.
The DP reminded the opposition leaders that they were free to boycott the October 17 repeat polls, saying it was not a must for them to participate in the elections.
“There is nowhere in the Constitution that says Raila Odinga must participate in any election in this country. So he is at liberty to participate or not to participate in the October 17 polls,” said the DP.
He noted that opposition leaders from the onset have been opposed to elections because they are always destined to lose since they failed to deliver when they were in previous governments.
“They (opposition) have been helped by the Supreme Court but they now fear going to the polls because the same Kenyans are the ones to decide on their leaders and will reject them at the ballot,” the DP said.
“Now they are threatening to boycott the October 17 repeat elections. We will go to the polls as set by the IEBC. These are individuals who want to get to power through the backdoor but we want to tell them that it will not happen,” added the Deputy President.
The DP said Jubilee was ready to go back to the people come October 17 so as to participate in the elections that will be managed by the IEBC.
“We will beat the Opposition just like the way we beat in August 8. In fact, we will double or triple our votes,” he said.
The Deputy President wondered why the opposition leaders had no faith in the IEBC and yet MPs, Governors and MCAs from Nasa whose elections were managed by the same electoral body have been sworn in.
“We have Nasa MPs, Governors and MCAs who were elected and it was IEBC which managed the elections. Why are they now saying they have no faith in the same body that made them who they are now? They should resign and seek fresh mandate from the electorate if they have no faith in IEBC,” said Mr Ruto.
They President and his deputy were accompanied by Governors Joseph Ole Lenku (Kajiado) and Samuel Tunai (Narok), Senator Majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen and other Jubilee leaders from Kajiado County.
