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Thursday, October 26, 2017

UhuRuto vote, regret that Kenyans denied right to choose president

An election is an opportunity to choose, President Uhuru Kenyatta said after voting on Thursday, and asked Kenyans to move on.

Uhuru appealed to the public to let people cast their ballots in his address at Mutomo Primary School in Gatundu.

"Kenya has proven it can go through presidential nullification and allow Kenyans to go to the ballot...that is the path we want," he said.

He also noted the people have demonstrated a maturing democracy so everybody should have the chance to enjoy it.

The President issued a stern warning against people who attack IEBC officials saying they should be allowed to do their work.

"There is no reason for anybody to take violent action against IEBC officials. My prayer is that we shall guarantee security for everyone," he said. "...largely 90 per cent of the country is calm and voting." 

In Kisumu, which is one of NASA leader Raila Odinga's strongholds, IEBC officials said they could not risk being seen with ballot boxes.

Residents obeyed Raila's instruction to boycott the election and lit bonfires and blocked voting centres to prevent the process.

Read: Ghost towns in Raila strongholds, Kisumu IEBC officials avoid 'suicide'

More on this: Police fire tear gas, live bullets at pro-NASA youths in Kisumu

The President noted he was sure of a win. Raila's boycott leaves Uhuru as the only serious contender. None of the other five candidates gained more than one percent in August, virtually guaranteeing Uhuru a second five-year term.

"ALL KENYANS SHOULD HAVE FREEDOM TO VOTE"

DP William Ruto asked Kenyans to respect their countrymen's rights as he cast his ballot in Turbo, Eldoret.

In his address to the media, he said citizens should maintain peace as they choose their leader.

"What we ask of every Kenyan, whether you are voting or not, is to respect the rights of others. This is how we are going to live as a nation."

The Deputy President said it was unfortunate that some Kenyans do not have the freedom to choose their leaders.

"Its unfortunate that some compatriots not have their freedom to choose today because someone has told them not to do so," he said.

"Sometimes we may take for granted that we have a democratic process that allows us to choose leaders. A moment like this reminds us that it is not in vain."

Ruto noted anxiety regarding the vote but added "God has been on our side".

"I have never looked forward to voting as much as I did in the past few days. Kenya is progressively becoming a modern democratic state anchored on rule of law and respect for the constitution."

The United States has asked Kenyan leaders not to divide the country but reject violence as they cast their votes.

"Now is not the time for strife to divide Kenya. It is a time for all Kenyans to come together," State spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a statement today.

More on this: Unite and reject violence, US tells Kenyans on election day

Also read: Kenya needs healing after disputed Uhuru-Raila battle


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