DPM appeals for peaceful campaigns

By ERNEST NDUNDA

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi has urged politicians to engage in healthy competition.

Mudavadi challenged politicians to tone down politics of hate and start engaging each other on the country’s challenges.

“If we are to bequeath a calm and peaceful country to posterity, we must acknowledge the crucial role of politics in mending the ribbon we broke,” said Mudavadi.

He said blind competition for power must cede space to peaceful dialogue.

“The fact that our nation is larger than the aspirations of any individual must guide our conduct. Politicians must learn to do something they usually finddifficult. They must accept that none of us knows it all,” he said.

• .

  Keep Reading

• 
  Kenya commends Somalia's efforts in security and health capacity building
• 
  Mike Sonko: Why Nairobi was different during my tenure
• 
  Committees are not the answer to ending graft
• 
  Mudavadi puts PSs at centre of war on graft

Mudavadi spoke when he delivered his speech on the theme “Change Management” during the 37th annual Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association Conference at Wild Waters Centre, Mombasa, Thursday.

Mudavadi, who was flanked by the Minister for Education Mutula Kilonzo and several MPs, said the zero-sum mentality that has characterised Kenyan political contests must give way to an appreciation that the country belongs to all Kenyans.

“We have what it takes to heal the wounds of the 2008 violence we inflicted upon ourselves,” said the DPM. He complained that many politicians want to stall dialogue by becoming suspicious when politicians engage each other.

“Those who reach out to their competitors and help ease tensions should be celebrated and not called names. I challenge my colleagues to go easy. This is just a contest. We shall continue sharing this space after elections,” said Mudavadi.

Mudavadi, however, said lack of national cohesion should not be blamed on politicians alone.

He explained that the language of hate and distrust is often developed and spread by other players in the society, saying rumours of conspiracy have gained credence because of other social couriers who hide behind politicians.

He challenged teachers to play a defined role in national cohesion as they have well connected network that can unravel many falsehoods.