President Uhuru Kenyatta has condemned the attack on Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya Presidential flag-bearer Raila Odinga's chopper in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Speaking during a service at AIC Church in Pipeline, Nairobi County, on Sunday, April 3, President Kenyatta noted that it was unnecessary especially as the country draws close to a general election.
The Head of State called on political leaders to lead by example and promote peace and co-existence among Kenyans. He added that any Kenyan engaged in such activities had lost direction.
"But most importantly, especially for us political leaders is we behave in a manner that allows our people to live in peace and to go about their business regardless of who sits in which position
"So ask ourselves, if you take a stone or a slasher to go and cut your friend instead of waiting for the next five years to elect your leader of choice, then you have lost direction," he reiterated.
President Kenyatta noted that elections was not a matter of life and death and castigated leaders who encouraged the notion, saying even though Kenyans choose their leaders through the ballot, the final decision is with God's will.
"Elections come and go. Sometimes people behave like elections is a matter of life and death, we have had it every five years since independence from the colonizers and even this one will come and we shall have another in five years.
"Because the decision as to whom shall lead from MCA to the president, as much as it is our responsibility as citizens, it is also God's will because he speaks through us," he noted.
Uhuru asked politicians to practise mature politics. He noted that those who do not support him have even insulted him in his own backyard in Gatundu yet he managed to look past the insults.
He opined that it was unnecessary to take risks such as what was witnessed on Friday, April 1, noting that if something bad had happened to Raila, it would only cause unrest in the country.
"They even come to my own backyard and insult me, but all I did was watch them because there is no need for violence. Now when you start hurling stones at Raila's chopper, what has it done to you? What if something happened and that stone hit that old man, wouldn't it cause problems in the country?" He posed.
Following the incident, the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) summoned Kapseret Member of Parliament (MP) Oscar Sudi and his Soy counterpart Caleb Kositany to record statements.
While maintaining their innocence, the two law makers noted that they were willing to assist the investigating agency in the probe. They presented themselves at the Rift Valley DCI headquarters in Nakuru on April 3 for grilling.
"We are ready to bear the brunt. We are there for justice. We are always preaching peace. We are heading to Nakuru to go and listen to this nonsense. It is pure nonsense. Whatever they want to do, we are ready for it," Kositany noted in a press conference.
Several politicians have come out to condemn the incident including the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential flag-bearer and Deputy President William Ruto, who publicly apologized to Raila Odinga for the attack.
"I also take this opportunity to apologize to the Honourable Raila Odinga. I hope those who engaged in this regret what they did. We will get to the root of this act which is most unfortunate and we will demonstrate our commitment to an election that is peaceful," Ruto stated.
