Uhuru goes easy on Migori apology and calls for political tolerance

NAIROBI, KENYA: President Uhuru Kenyatta stressed need for political tolerance during a meeting with a delegation from Migori County that delivered an apology to State House, Nairobi, following ugly scenes that marred his recent tour of the region.

Having spent the night in the city after missing an appointment with the President on Wednesday, the delegation of 500 county, women and youth leaders accomplished their mission Thursday when Migori Governor Okoth Obado gave the formal apology on their behalf.

But President Kenyatta sought to lift the burden on Migori people for the ugly spectacle of heckling and shoe-throwing that 10 days ago forced him to hurriedly conclude his event, saying they had not wronged him.

“I have nothing to forgive; I know the residents of Migori had no problem. Walitukaribisha roho safi (they welcomed us warm-heartedly). I do not blame the people of Migori,” Uhuru said.

However, he directed his displeasure on unnamed politicians, whom he said financed the mayhem and asked them to wait until the next General Election.

“This was caused by a few leaders who believe we are still in the stone-age. To the two or three who financed the violence, we tell them we are in the 21st Century. If you do not like what leaders have to say, wait for five years,” he added.

The Head of State directed the release of six youths charged with the chaos.

“I forgive all the young men involved in the heckling and I have asked that they be freed. Those youths deserve a chance in life. Let them be freed to see the opportunities we are creating for them,” Uhuru said.

He added: “The disappointing thing about the Migori incident was that we were launching the largest malaria project in Africa.”

President Kenyatta explained political competition did not mean fanning animosity and intolerance.

He said he was aware that Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno was in ODM but that did not mean he doesn’t work with him. Uhuru appointed Dalmas his special envoy to South Sudan.

POLITICAL SCORES

Deputy President William Ruto also cautioned politicians against inciting the youth to settle political scores.

“As the President will come, those who are under him like us are also arranging to come to Migori to bring more development to the people. Time for politics is not now,” said Ruto.

After the apology, Obado invited the President to visit the county regularly to foster development.

“I am taking this opportunity to apologise on behalf of the people of Migori and ask you to come back to develop our people,” he said.

Uhuru said misplaced politics would never bar him from visiting any part of the country to discuss development agendas and promised to visit Migori again to commission projects.

Also present were National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, Internal Security Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku, and National Cohesion and Integration Commission Chairperson Francis ole Kaparo.

Those in the Migori delegation included MPs Dalmas (Rongo), Mathias Robi (Kuria West), Shadrack Manga (Kuria East) and Senator Dr Wilfred Machage.

The visit, however, drew the disapproval of some ODM MPs who said they were not consulted and that it was not justified. 

“There is no need to apologise. There was no crime that was committed in Migori and there is no reason for apologies,” Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo said.

He blamed the President for allegedly sidelining elected leaders in Nyanza and choosing to work with “unpopular leaders like Obado and Dalmas”.

Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabbir said every Kenyan had a right to visit State House, but Migori leaders shouldn’t pretend to represent the larger Nyanza.

Migori Town MP Junet Mohamed, who has recorded a statement with police on the incident, said it was important for Obado to go and apologise to the President.

“Obado should take the earliest opportunity to apologise to the President for mishandling his trip. He owes the President and Migori people an apology because what happened in Migori was caused by the governor,” Junet had said on Wednesday.

Kisumu West MP Olago Aluoch said: “An apology is a personal responsibility and not a community affair. Those who heckled should apologise.”