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Raila, Uhuru Shake-off Tribal Differences

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1:12 pm

Raila(Left) and Uhuru, a meeting that has changed the narrative in the politics of Kenya

President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and National Super Alliance opposition leader Raila Odinga have today decided to bury their political hatchets to start a new beginning of rebuilding the Kenyan people.

The two have been in a deep political divide especially after Uhuru won a repeated election last year August 2017, but Odinga went ahead to swear-in himself as the people’s president.

The two leaders on Friday held a joint address to the people of Kenya after having held hours of one-on-one discussions behind closed doors.

Walking out of Harambe house stairs, first was Odinga followed by Uhuru, who came out with their faces full of smiles and shaking hands at the start and end of their respective speeches which took 11 minutes.

The Raila and Uhuru families have been in struggle for power since independence in 1963.

“The time has come for Kenya to put down their differences and audit their differences with reflection on performance towards achievement of the nation aspirations,” Raila said.

Raila said that this new step will lead the country to another level, making Kenya a blessed land instead of a land of conflict.

“If we stand together, we shall not fail, God bless Kenya; and I would like to tell you that I have talked with my brother Uhuru Kenyatta, on the desire to unite Kenyans,” Raila said.

President Uhuru also resounded Raila’s comments and stated that the decision to come together comes after careful review of the outcomes of conflicts based on tribal differences.

“We have come to a common understanding for the greatness and unity of the country, starting with the leaders, who must be able to discuss their differences freely and openly what caused these ethnic conflicts,” Uhuru stated also calling Raila, a ‘brother.’

He cited some of the intercommunal conflicts in areas like West Pokot, Wajia among others, which have left several citizens wounded and others dead.

“We have a responsibility as leaders to come together to find solutions to these issues. Solutions that will bind our people together, unify the country and give us a life cycle that is beyond the five years that we want for ourselves,” Uhuru said.

Uhuru also stated that elections should not divide Kenyans even when it is okay to have political differences and opinion, instead everyone should now focus on a new beginning for Kenya.

Raila and Uhuru’s meeting makes history in Kenya, at the same time when the USA and North Korean leaders (Donald Trump and Kim Jung-un), who have never met before in the history of their countries, plan to meet.