Legal action should be taken against leaders who incite the public to violence, National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale has said.

He is among Jubilee leaders who have criticised Cord for planning countrywide rallies to push for national dialogue on insecurity, corruption and high cost of living, among other issues.

In Kericho, Senator Charles Keter dared the Opposition to carry out its rally on July 7, saying the Jubilee Government was not prepared to hold any form of dialogue.

Speaking in Kericho Town on Saturday, Mr Keter said Cord could not do anything to force the government to the table. “I am telling Raila (Odinga) that we are not going to talk. So what is he going to do? If Opposition leaders think they are man enough, so are we. They should not think at any point that they can compete with the Jubilee government.”

He urged Opposition leaders to respect President Kenyatta and his deputy, Mr William Ruto, whom he said had been given the mandate to lead Kenyans for five years.

He urged the leaders to find ways of working with the government for the sake of unity.

Mr Keter warned that Mr Odinga’s declaring Saba Saba (July 7) a public holiday could destabilise the country economically.

Isaac Ruto

However, Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter, both of Mr Ruto’s URP, supported the call for national dialogue. The governor said the Opposition should have a say in the running of the country.

He defended Cord against allegations that it was plotting to cause instability, and urged the President and his deputy to be “more listening and accommodative”.

“We support the talks because democracy means that though the majority has their way, the minority should also have their say.”

Mr Keter said dialogue was necessary to address numerous challenges, including the recent payment of billions of shillings for Anglo Leasing-type contracts. “Let us not cheat one another, we need national dialogue. Let us sit together and address the issues that are facing us as a country,” he said.

In Nairobi, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa said Kenyans should be left to focus on development. “This is not the time for Saba Saba rallies,” said Mr Murkomen. “It’s time for work.”

Reported by Oliver Musembi, Jacqueline Kubania, Timothy Kemei and John Shilitsa

Source: Daily Nation