A day after former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo agreed to lead a 10-member committee in facilitating talks between Raila Odinga and President William Ruto, Makueni governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has urged political hardliners on both sides of the political divide to support peaceful resolution talks to resolve the country’s political differences.
Mutula claims that many lives have been lost and that the economy is suffering, requiring immediate intervention.
“We are not in this country as guests. Kenyans are watching us; we need to stop trading barbs because our people depend on how we talk to each other. We won’t have investors coming to Kenya if we continue in this direction,” said Mutula.
He said all leaders from both sides of the government should support negotiations.
“Let us reason together. The only way is to let these two leaders sit down and talk. We have lost 4 young people, the two who were killed during demonstrations in Machakos were hailing from Makueni then the other two-Emali, and Wote shooting incident,” he added
The first term Wiper governor said Kenyans need peace for economic growth.
“The campaign period is over and we are no longer in politics. If these two leaders fail to reach a consensus, then, I, Mutula, I’m ready to sit them down and find a solution,” Mutula offered for his arbitration.
Mutula went up against Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi (Agriculture), MPs Rindikiri Mugambi (Buuri), Vincent Musyoka (Mwala), and businessman James Mbaluka, all of whom have stated openly that they will oppose any attempt to bring the two together at a table.
“I can’t sit down with a person I defeated in an election. We have also told the president he should not sit down with the people he floored in the election. This will not happen, he lost because he didn’t have any vision for this country,” said Mugambi.
Musyoka on his bid said Ruto should keep off any efforts to have talks with Raila Odinga, “In the same vein I can’t sit down for any talks with the people I beat in the last election is the same way the president shouldn’t allow it to happen to him.”
The Cabinet Secretary urged Kenyans to avoid protests and instead work in agriculture, stating that subsidised fertiliser was being distributed to all parts of the country ahead of the upcoming short rains.
“Economy will not be revived by placing sufurias on your heads in streets but in your shambas,” said Mithika as he flagged off three trucks full of fertilizer for Mbooni sub-county.
The leaders spoke at Ndoo Secondary School, Tulimani, Mbooni during a funds drive.
