NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 17 – Australian Senator Lucy Gichuhi has urged fellow Kenyans to allow elected leaders time to work and fulfil their pledges saying that its time the country moves on.
Speaking during a courtesy call on Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka Wednesday, Gichuhi emphasized that it’s only through Kenyans accepting their leaders that development will occur.
“Kenyans need to give their leaders time to lead otherwise the country is going to be in the mode of negotiation forever derailing any progress on development. It is time Kenyans moved on with their lives and allow the leaders to work,” said Gichuhi.
Gichuhi made the remarks at a time the Opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) maintains that it will not recognize Uhuru Kenyatta as the legitimate President of Kenya.
NASA has vowed to swear-in Raila Odinga as the People’s President at the end of the month if the Head of State does not engage them in dialogue especially in addressing the issue of electoral injustice.
With NASA’s plan to swear Odinga still on the offing despite claims of division within the coalition over the matter, Gichuhi reiterated that there is need for political leaders in the country to strike a compromise and set their political differences aside and work towards resolving political issues amicably.
“Political disputes are solved politically and the best solution is home-grown. The leaders and Kenyans at large will have to come up with the solution to remedy the problem. The issue of tribalism for instance is such an entrenched Kenyan problem and only Kenyans can resolve for the sake of the country’s development,” she said.
The political situation in the country has seen foreign envoys also push for structured talks between Kenyatta and Odinga but such calls are still yet to materialize.
For instance, US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec has over the past few weeks made it his business to reach out to top Jubilee and Opposition leaders urging them to soften their hard-line political stance regarding the need to engage in dialogue.
In spite of such calls, Lusaka still maintains that those opposed to recognizing their elected political leaders should first acknowledge them before any form of dialogue can take place.
“Talks cannot be initiated yet there are individuals who have failed to recognize elected leaders. But once those opposed to Kenyatta’s regime come to terms with the reality, I believe the time will be ripe for them to be engaged,” said Lusaka.
