Azimio la Umoja One Kenya presidential running mate Martha Karua has cautioned political leaders against using violence and insults while conducting their campaigns.
Karua, while speaking during a campaign tour in Nakuru on Saturday, criticized leaders for using vulgar language and hurling insults at those in power to get mileage ahead of the August general elections.
The NARC Kenya party leader pointed out that disrespecting a sitting president or governor while seeking the same position could ultimately re-occur to the same leaders when they ascend to those very positions.
“Mambo ya fujo na matusi tumekataa; ukitaka urais, lazima uheshimu rais aliyopo. Mkosoe, lakini kwa njia ya heshima ndivyo wewe ukiingia tuweze kukuheshimu,” Karua said.
“Ukitaka ugavana heshimu gavana alioko, hatusemi usimkosoe, mkosoe lakini kwa njia ya heshima.”
As she continued to woo voters to rally behind Azimio presidential flagbearer Raila Odinga’s candidature, Karua called on residents to shun politicians dishing out handouts and consider those with a track record of integrity and excellence.
She illustrated the disadvantages of handouts citing the reign of the late President Mwai Kibaki stating that during his term, although he had not given handouts to be voted in, the economy thrived after he assumed power.
“Wacha kutishwa na pesa ya mtu…ata akiwa ni tajiri wa mwisho, haiwezi kutosha Wakenya. Sijawahi skia tajiri akisema watoto wa kijiji chake waende shule ata kwa term moja pekee, ama akisema hospitalini watu wakunywe dawa wiki mpja. Sijaskia pesa ikitosha wananchi lakini kodi yetu sisi sote inaweza kututosha,” Karua said.
“Usiangalie vile unaletewa pesa, tazama vile kodi yako inatumika. Unataka viongozi waaminifu wafanyishe pesa yako kazi ili upate huduma unayotaka. Wakati wa Kibaki, hakukuja kwa nyumba yako kukupatia sukari, lakini ulimskia kwa mfuko wako; mtoto wako alienda shule na ukaenda hospitalini ukapata mambo imebadilika.”
At the same time, Karua reiterated that Odinga’s government would ensure equal rights for all and close all tribal and region-based differences.
