Charles Wanyoro
13 July 2008
Nairobi — Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka have led members of the grand coalition government in resolving to bring back peace to the country following the post-election violence.
Mr Odinga said that the post-election violence affected everyone and should be avoided at all costs in future.
"Kenya is greater than an individual," the Prime Minister told a thank you party hosted by Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi at Nkubu Stadium in Meru on Saturday.
The premier said that he was committed to ensuring that the grand coalition stood out as a shining example to other countries that people can differ and then share power.
Greatest challenge
He said that the greatest challenge facing the coalition government was to deliver on the pledges they made to Kenyans when they signed the peace accord. Mr Odinga said that the coalition was on the path to delivering a new constitution within the next one year.
Mr Musyoka urged politicians to desist from talking about who will succeed President Kibaki and instead concentrate on efforts to reduce poverty.
Mr Murungi said that he had chosen to invite the leaders from across the political divide to foster cohesion. He said the team would tour the entire country preaching peace.
"What God has put together, let no man put asunder. In politics, there is no permanent friend or enemy. Only permanent interests. I have been on the road to Damascus. I no longer bear hatred for my political competitors. I'm like the Apostle Paul, preaching peace and friendship," Mr Murungi said.
Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta said that leaders were to blame for the post-election violence. "Leaders bring about division. We are the ones who stand up and say this tribe is bad and should vacate this place," he said.
He said that constitutional reforms should ensure that densely populated constituencies are split.
"The votes from Nithi constituency brought disagreement since we have more than 123,000 voters. We need to divide these large constituencies to avoid suspicion that elections have been rigged," Mr Kenyatta said.
Mr Amos Kimunya, who resigned as minister for finance earlier this week over the Grand Regency saga, said he harboured no grudge against MPs for passing a vote of no-confidence in him.
"The truth shall come out one day. I need your prayers. We should pray for our leaders that they learn to talk the truth since the truth shall set you free. I have no grudge with anybody. Not even the MPs who passed a vote of no confidence in me. They should know that we are in Parliament for five years and we need to work together."
But Mr Kimunya did not shake hands with Mr Odinga and Mr James Orengo, the Lands minister, after he (Mr Kimunya) finished his speech. But he shook the Vice-President's hands before he took his seat.
Mr Orengo blew the whistle on the controversial sale of the Grand Regency Hotel.
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