Governor Kilonzo’s message to leaders ahead of Ruto-Raila talks
A day after the former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo agreed to lead a 10-member committee in spearheading talks between Raila Odinga and president William Ruto, Makueni governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has called for political hardliners in both political divides to support peaceful resolution talks to address the country’s political differences.
Mutula says that many lives have been lost, and the economy is hurting something that needs immediate interventions.
“We are not in this country as guests. Kenyans are watching us; we need to stop trading barbs because our people depend on how we talk to each other. We won’t have investors coming to Kenya if we continue in this direction,” said Mutula
He said all leaders from both sides of the government should support negotiations.
“Let us reason together. The only way is to let these two leaders sit down and talk. We have lost 4 young people, the two who were killed during demonstrations in Machakos were hailing from Makueni then the other two-Emali, and Wote shooting incident,” he added
The first term Wiper governor said Kenyans need peace for economic growth.
“The campaign period is over and we are no longer in politics. If these two leaders fail to reach a consensus, then, I, Mutula, I’m ready to sit them down and find a solution,” Mutula offered for his arbitration
Mutula went against Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi (Agriculture), MPs: Rindikiri Mugambi (Buuri), Vincent Musyoka (Mwala) and businessman, James Mbaluka who openly said they will oppose any efforts for the two to sit down in a table.
“I can’t sit down with a person I defeated in an election. We have also told the president he should not sit down with the people he floored in the election. This will not happen, he lost because he didn’t have any vision for this country,” said Mugambi
Musyoka on his bid said Ruto should keep off any efforts to have talks with Raila Odinga, “In the same vein I can’t sit down for any talks with the people I beat in the last election is the same way the president shouldn’t allow it to happen to him,”
The Cabinet Secretary called on Kenyans to stay away from demonstrations and instead venture into agriculture saying they were in the process of distributing subsidized fertilizer to all parts of the country ahead of the coming short rains.
“Economy will not be revived by placing sufurias on your heads in streets but in your shambas,” said Mithika as he flagged off three trucks full of fertilizer for Mbooni sub-county.
The leaders spoke at Ndoo Secondary School, Tulimani, Mbooni during a funds drive.