- The church should help educating people on the importance of electing leaders who are morally upstanding, ANC boss said.
- Earlier Mudavadi denounced major fuel price increases and Meru governor said he was welcome in the county.
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Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi on Sunday called for political tolerance as the country heads towards the 2022 elections.
Speaking during his second day in Meru at Chabuene Methodist Church in North Imenti constituency, Mudavadi said the drums of political violence can already be heard.
He called on the church to preach peace.
“The church should help educate our people on the importance of electing leaders of moral standing. Without civic education, we will not be able to elect the right leaders,” he said.
Only through good governance will the country realise economic prosperity, Mudavadi said.
On Friday, rowdy youth disrupted a delegates’ meeting that was to be addressed by businessman Jimmy Wanjigi at Maranatha Faith Assemblies Church’s hall in Migori town. He is seeking the ODM presidential ticket and says ODM boss Raila Odinga should retire.
The youth armed with stones and crude weapons invaded the venue, beating up delegates before police moved in.
On Sunday, Mudavadi further urged youth countrywide to register as voters and be part of political process of electing their leaders.
Mudavadi has been in Meru county for two day, courting the region to back his 2022 presidential bid. He was hosted by Governor Kiraitu Murungi.
Mudavadi said ANC will sponsor a motion in Parliament to breathe new life into some proposals in the BBI Bill rejected by two courts as unconstitutional.
Saying not all parts of the Bill were bad for Kenya, Mudavadi said some clauses, such as the introduction of the office of the Official Opposition, were good.
Many BBI proposals could be enacted through parliamentary initiatives, he said, adding that he would marshal his MPs to introduce motions.
“On the BBI Bill, some issues can be dealt with without a referendum. We can do something about the clauses that are good for this country.
"We must have an opposition that can hold the government of the day to account. Multipartyism is good for a democratic government, Mudavadi said.
Speaking in Meru county earlier, the ANC chief said he will rally his troops in Parliament to table a motion to review the Finance Act, 2021, that gave rise to fuel hikes.
The former Finance Minister said higher fuel prices will make life more difficult for most Kenyans.
He said the government cannot depend on the high cost of fuel to raise funds to meet its national and international debt obligations.
“Why is the government paining Kenyans through increased fuel prices? It is because through petroleum products, it finds quick revenue to fix its debts. This is unacceptable,” Mudavadi said.
Over the weekend, Mudavadi was on a meet-the-people tour of Meru.
Welcomed by Governor Kiraitu Murungi and a number of MCAs, Mudavadi held meetings with elders and opinion leaders. He repeated the message of peace before the general election..
The Amani leader has intensified his campaigns in the Mt Kenya region where he has indicated that he is likely to pick his 2022 running mate.
“I am here at the invitation of Governor Kiraitu. The Meru have been my great friends and I am here to ask for your support and walk together,” he said.
Mudavadi warned against electing leaders with integrity issues.
He was accompanied by former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende, Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala and MPs Alfred Agoi (Sabatia) and Ayub Savula (Lugari).
“If we are talking about policies to grow the economy, then we cannot trust a person who was in the kitchen preparing the soup, which got bad. How can we then trust such a person to start preparing another soup?” he asked.
Kiraitu said the region is open for a Mudavadi administration if the region’s interests are taken care of.
“The people of Meru love your way of doing politics. You are not a person of hatred and abuse. Our main interest is to know the kind of people we are supporting and what they will offer our region,” the governor said.
“Musalia is a history-maker in our Meru land. He steered the economy from the murky waters when he was the Minister for Finance in 1993. He is right and has what it takes to guide this country,” he added.
“I invited Mudavadi here because we want to change the politics of this region," the governor said. "There are people who have been visiting Mudavadi in Nairobi and return with a declaration that Meru people have decided.
"But as the governor, I declare the Meru people will decide. I want him to sell his policies to the people of Meru and together we will make Meru great,” Kiraitu said.
He was speaking at a town hall meeting attended by a number of MCAs and former Interior ministry PS Mutea Iringo.
Former National Speaker Kenneth Marende said more investment must be channeled to the agriculture sector to make the country food secure, adding tha visionary leadership is needed.
“We need leaders who care more about our country. A leader who will revive our agriculture sector and ensure our miraa, sugarcane, maize and all farmers benefit from their sweat,” he said.
The country, Marende said, is in heavy debts that require practical solutions to fix.
(Edited by V. Graham)