National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has urged Kenyans to elect leaders who have discipline and integrity.
He said with discipline, leaders will set a good example to the younger generation, who will be entrusted with the future of Kenya in years to come.
"While leaders should be accountable to the public resources entrusted to them, citizens should also bear the responsibility of scrutinising their leaders before giving them leadership roles," Muturi said on Saturday.
"If you put irresponsible people in positions of leadership, don’t complain because you will automatically expect low quality of services. As the saying goes, garbage in, garbage out.”
He said leaders should not quarrel and insult each other in public, as this sets a bad example.
"I call for unity from among our leaders. It is unfortunate when our children witness leaders squabbling over trivial matters that can be solved amicably."
Muturi spoke at ACK St Thomas Kerugoya during an education day.
He said any individual is at liberty to form a political party and ought not to be persuaded to dissolve it.
Muturi said some leaders in Jubilee have in the recent past expressed their dissatisfaction with how the party has been run over the years, citing intimidation.
"As long as the individual has attained all qualifications to create a political party and abides by all the Political Parties Act, he is at liberty to create a party."
He said the Mt Kenya region should be left to chart its political path, including forming political parties that will negotiate for the interests of residents.
"We don't want a situation where we are persuaded to get into one political party where our interests will be decided by others. We want to have different political parties that can unite and pursue the interests of our region. It’s better to be safe and not put all our eggs in one basket."
Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua urged President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto to resolve their political differences.
"As they continue to call for the unity of other Kenyans, let them set an example by burying their hatchet to reduce the tension that is building up."
Karua hailed Muturi for his courage in announcing his presidential bid, saying the seat is not a preserve of a few.
"We need to have a rich menu of presidential candidates. Let us give space to all of them to sell their agenda, after which we can decide who to choose."
Karua said she still aims to run for president in the near future, but as for 2022 she will be seeking to unseat Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru.
Kirinyaga Deputy Governor Peter Ndambiri told off leaders pretending to call for unity, yet they were alienating some people in their home counties.
MP Munene Wambugu praised the government for its development agenda, saying citizens were happy with its job.
Edited by A.N
