KDF Chief Issues Stern Warning To Politicians

Chief of Defence Forces, General Samson Mwathethe has asked politicians to desist from talks that will divide the country as we approach the October 26th Presidential election.

Addressing mourners during the burial of Murang'a Deputy OCPD Madaraka Mung’aro at Dabaso on Saturday, he warned that the current political situation in the country was not healthy for leaders to start issuing threats of secession.

[caption caption="General Mwathethe"][/caption]

General Mwathethe, who sits on the National Security Council, added that such statements coming from leaders was unfortunate because they would definitely divide the country.

“The country, everyone knows it's going through political challenges and our politicians should talk about unity and how they can bring the people together, than engaging in talks that will divide the nation.

They should read the mood of the nation and understand that their freedom of expression should not be misused. Any bad and ill talk is a recipe for chaos and destruction,” Gen Mwathethe stated.

He gave examples of several countries he had visited for peace missions noting that anyone propagating hate and war has never seen what he saw in Iraq, Bosnia and other countries he served in.

“In Iraq for example, I saw a mass grave that stretched for more than eight kilometers. Some politicians are talking but have not seen the impact of war and its threats on the lives of the people,” he cautioned.

On Friday, Kilifi North MP Owen Baya hinted at introducing a bill in the National Assembly to start pushing for coast secession. He spoke at Mwarakaya when he accompanied Governor Amason Kingi for campaigns asking residents to boycott voting next Thursday.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) politicians from Kilifi, led by Governor Kingi, were quoted in the media stating they would plan for secession if voting takes place next week.

Kilifi County Administration Police Commandant Elisha Ngetich announced that police were closely monitoring the utterances by Kilifi politicians and they would only have themselves to blame should they be held answerable for their statements. 

[caption caption="Gen Mwathethe"][/caption]