NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 7- As his 10-year term comes to an end, President Uhuru Kenyatta says his happiness is having overseen a peaceful campaign season, without violence.
Speaking during a joint vernacular stations interview, the President said the campaign season has concluded without, “any case of violence reported anywhere in the country.”
“We are going to this election without violence,” he said. “I say this with a lot of joy, that the handshake I have with various leaders has helped, and more so our community (the Kikuyus).”
In case of any security issue, he said the law will be enforced to ensure law and order is maintained.
“Anyone with complaints should go to court…the people should be allowed to do their work,” he said.
The President has had a strained relationship with a section of leaders from his Mt Kenya section, who have accused him of betraying them, after his March 2018 handshake with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
He however said the focus was to address underlying issues that have largely affected his region and more so through the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
“If our people want the current peace to continue and development, they should cast their votes with a lot of care and not the sweetness of the tongue,” the President said.
His preferred successor is the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance presidential candidate and longtime opposition leader, Odinga.
The President also touched on his challenges including facing crimes against humanity charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Uhuru and five other Kenyans including his Deputy William Ruto had been taken to ICC over the 2007-2008 Post Election Violence that claimed more than 1,000 lives.
At least more than 600,000 people were internally displaced.
The violence erupted after the late President Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner, in a disputed election against Odinga.
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