President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday announced that he was ready to engage in talks with Opposition Leader Raila Odinga to end the current political tension in the country.
Speaking during the centennial celebrations for the Anglican Church of Kenya at All Saints Cathedral presided by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, President Kenyatta stated that he had heard the calls for dialogue and reconciliation adding that he hoped all other Kenyans had also heard the same message.
“We have heard your message on the need for reconciliation and I hope everyone in the congregation has heard it as well,” he stated.
[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta addressing congregants at a Church service"]
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Mr Odinga, who was also present at the service, noted that he would only take part in talks aimed at addressing the electoral injustices of the August and October elections.
The former Prime Minister maintained that he had won the August polls but his victory had been "stolen".
[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta, Opposition Leader Raila Odinga, CJ David Maraga and Members of the clergy"]
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“The foundation of any reconciliation in any country is justice. Kenyans must be given justice, and for electoral justice to be served, the vote must count.
"Votes cast at the polling stations must be the same votes announced at the tallying centers. Until we do that, there will be no justice," Odinga stated.
The two leaders met on Sunday at the Church for the first time since the repeat Presidential poll was conducted.
During the church service, Archbishop Justin Welby stated that it is only through reconciliation that the country can retain its status as a model for Africa.
[caption caption="Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby addressing a church service"]
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He called on Kenyans to strengthen structures of reconciliation adding that he was not calling for mediation or arbitration.
“Reconciliation is a supreme gift of Jesus. Reconciliation is so costly it caused Jesus to die on the cross.
“Kenya should provide an example of reconciliation. Kenya has been a good model of peace and reconciliation across Africa," Welby stated.
