You will be safe, Joseph Ole Lenku tells public over Saba Saba rally

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku. [PHOTO: STANDARD]

NAIROBI, KENYA: Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku says security has been beefed up across the country and that Kenyans should continue with their daily chores Monday.

He also asked Kenyans who will find time to attend CORD’s Saba Saba rally to do so, adding the entire country would be peaceful.

Lenku, however, warned against any attempts to incite Kenyans, saying those responsible will face full force of the law. “When they meet on Monday, we wish them well but let Kenyans should know that security is enhanced across then country to protect those who have organised the rally and those who will have time to attend,” said Lenku during the national prayer organised by the Government and Inter-Religious Council of Kenya at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, Saturday.

He said Kenyans know problem facing the country and cited poverty and corruption as mounting challenges facing the nation that must be dealt with through dialogue.

“We must engage ourselves through already existing institutions and foster national cohesion and integration,” he said.

He added: “Kenyans fought for independence long time ago and they also fought for their freedoms by enacting the new Constitution. Now it is time to strengthen the institutions that were created,” he said.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero broke ranks with his party leader and asked city residents to go to work Monday.

“If you sell vegetables, please go ahead and do that on Monday. If you have a job please go and work on Monday,” he said.

Kidero said there would be no violence or chaos on Monday adding that ‘Monday will come and go.’

He statement went contrary to that of his party leader Raila Odinga who declared that Monday would be a ‘public holiday’.

“The people of Nairobi have spoken and they have said that they do not want violence. I can assure you that nothing will happen on Monday. Do your business as usual,” Kidero said.

Representatives of Parliament and Senate also attended the prayer meeting. Emuhaya MP Wilbur Otichilo, who represented the MPs, said they would ensure that the country stays united.

“You elected us and you have spoken. Ours is to obey what you have said,” he said, adding: “We shall respect that which you have told us.”

Laikipia senator GG Kariuki, who also spoke at the prayer meeting, asked Kenyans not to ‘leave the country in the hands of politicians to destroy.’ “You elected these leaders and it is you to recall them,” he said.