EDITORIAL: Kenyan leaders must now focus on unity
A new phase begins today in Kenya with the swearing in of President Uhuru Kenyatta. This will officially mark the beginning of his second and last term as the leader of the East African Community (EAC) powerhouse. President John Magufuli is scheduled to join at least 25 other heads of state and government, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for the much-awaited ceremony.
Much-awaited not because of any peculiarity as a swearing-in ceremony – but more so for the reason that, not only Kenyans, but the whole east African region has since August been sitting on edge over the situation in the country.
From the campaign period and election day, to the repeat poll and the period after, it has been a very tense three months in Kenya, and we are hoping that with the swearing in today, begins a more sincere process to heal the wounds, build bridges and find common ground for the good of the people and the EAC. First, the onus is on President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto to be at the forefront of this process – to set the tone for the unifying of a nation deeply and precariously divided on political and tribal lines.
This year’s fiercely contested election and the shock annulment of the first presidential poll results by the Supreme Court, the opposition coalition protests and its decision to not participate in the repeat election worsened the situation in Kenya. But it is time to move on now. The key players should bury the hatchet and work together from in and outside government to ensure peace in the country.
This is the message we are expecting from President Kenyatta. In forming his government, a good starting point for the reconciliation process would be ensuring an administration that is all-inclusive. Second, President Magufuli and his team from the EAC should also try reaching out to the opposition and help bring Kenyan politicians together. We wish Kenyans a better future.
