Laikipia County boss Ndiritu Muriithi has forewarned that if not properly contained, the rising political temparatures could lead the country to carnage.
Speaking in Nyahururu, the recently appointed Chairman of ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga’s 2022 campaign board urged political leaders to maintain tolerance and for Kenyans to embrace democracy when expressing their divergent opinions.
According to Nderitu, leaders have a responsibility to set a good example and should not promote hate against each other based on tribal or ideological differences.
“Let us respect other people’s opinions. We should not divide people along either tribal or political lines as we head to the elections,” he said.
He added that Kenya requires unity of purpose in order to progress and leaders need to unite Kenyans instead of issuing threatening messages.
“This is the only way that the country can develop. We should not go back to war as it happened in 2007. We need peace and unity among all Kenyans,” he said.
Nderitu spoke following reckless outbursts by Meru Senator Mithika Linturi who was arrested on Saturday after saying Madoadoa should be removed from Rift Valley in what has been widely interpreted to mean people who do not support Ruto for the presidency.
Rift Valley is largely inhabited by communities from various parts of the country and the use of Madoadoa, which means spots, can easily inflame tensions particularly after the 2007-8 post election violence in which more than half a million people were killed and thousands more displaced.
Linturi, who was arrested on Saturday over the remarks, has since apologised and clarified that he meant voters should not vote in leaders outside Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
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