President Uhuru Kenyatta Has sternly warned against violence while paying tribute to the late Senator GG Kariuki in Rumuruti on Friday.
Kariuki died at Nairobi Hospital on Thursday night. Sources at the facility said the 78-year-old veteran politician suffered septic shock and did not give more details.
Read: Veteran politician GG Kariuki dies aged 78
Uhuru warned against the violence in Laikipia that has left private ranches destroyed and several people dead or injured.
"Ninatoa onyo kwamba wenye wanafikiria kuwa wanahaki ya kuwafurusha wengine, kuiba mali ya wengine au kutisha wenzao...mjue ya kuwa ni ndoto mnaota...na tutawapata," Uhuru said.
This loosely translates to: "I am warning people who think they have the right to steal from others or threaten them...you are dreaming...we will find you."
Noting his awareness of the chaos in the county, the President told the funeral service that it must end.
"Mzee alipenda amani na alipenda watu waishi pamoja, na hivyo ndivyo itakuwa. Tuwache vita. Kama uko na shida, njoo tuongee, ukiendelea vile unaendelea utajionea yako," he said.
This means: "Mzee (Kariuki) loved peaceful co-existence and that is how it will be. Let us stop the violence. If you have a problem, come so we can talk...if you continue with the violence, you will face consequences."
The President also spoke against violence by politicians amid campaigns for the August 8 general election.
"Do not be the kind of politicians who anticipate violence," he said in his speech issued in Kiswahili. "GG Kariuki ensured Laikipia accommodated all Kenyans."
"...hata kama wewe 'ni nani' tutakupata kwa sababu lazima Wakenya waishi kwa amani (We will find you no matter who you are because Kenyans must live in peace."
The President's warning of the full force of the law against perpetrators followed the killing of six police officers by suspected Pokot bandits.
County commissioner Onesmus Mwaniki said the officers were based at Kamwenje patrol base in Laikipia West. They were ambushed in a convoy of two vehicles while heading towards Kamwenje.
More on this: Six cops on shot dead by bandits in Laikipia
On July 2, Samburu leaders requested an urgent meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta on Laikipia grazing issues, which have seen herders invade private property and harm people.
They noted the matter has become a campaign tool for some unnamed politicians whom they said have been sabotaging their efforts to campaign for Uhuru.
More on this: Leaders ask to meet Uhuru on Laikipia conflict, claim ranchers colluding with cops
In April, Opposition leader Raila Odinga asked the government to negotiate with Laikipia ranchers for herders to be allowed to graze their animals there during the drought.
Raila accused the government of using forceful means to drive the herders out of the ranches, resulting in escalated violence.
More on this: Negotiate grazing deal with ranchers to end Laikipia violence, Raila asks state
Also read: We're not complicit in Laikipia ranch raids, Raila tells UK newspaper
Source
No comments:
Post a Comment