NAIROBI, Kenya, May 26- President Uhuru Kenyatta has promised to oversee a smooth transition, as his 10-year term comes to an end and a few months before the August 9 general elections.
The President was speaking during National Prayer Breakfast, held at the Safari Park Hotel.
The event was attended by national leaders among them his Deputy William Ruto and Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance running mate, Martha Karua.
“Even as we engage in the upcoming contest, we know the task of building a nation is a task that is passed from a generation to a generation, generations and generations of leaders are therefore called upon to pass that baton unbroken, and I intend to do just that,” he said.
The President noted that the political temperatures have been rising, as the official campaign period nears.
Both the Deputy President and NARC Kenya party leader committed to a peaceful campaign period and committed to accepting the will of the people.
“Mine is to wish you all peace and mine is to wish that we will end up much united and stronger after this election than before,” he said.
“And to wish each and every person who is vying the best of luck, knowing that there shall be only one leader as we have been told and our prayer is that we shall accept and be able to move forward, and live to fight another day.”
As he retires, the President said, “he was looking forward to a lot of peace and enjoyment in the years to come. With God’s grace, we will be meeting out there.”
On his part, the Deputy President asked for forgiveness from President Kenyatta, for any shortcoming as well as from Kenyans.
He noted that they did not remain as united as promised. He also extended an olive branch to his political nemesis.
“We have failed in some areas; I ask for your forgiveness. I also know as serving as a Deputy President I may have fallen short of my expectations of my boss, His Excellency the President, I ask for forgiveness,” he said.
“I also know in this journey; many people have hurt me. But I forgive everybody. I want us to go to this election free of the debt of being hurt and free of the debt of forgiveness.”
On her part, Karua urged leaders to ensure their actions, “match our words.”
“We pray especially for us leaders, even as we compete, we compete with ideas, not insults. That we lessen the tension in the nation by the way we treat each other,” she said.
She pointed out, “None of us is perfect, we pray for God’s grace and strength so that we can be able to lead our nation to value driven campaigns and value driven leadership.”
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