{President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday told Muslim fundamentalists to stop using their religion as excuse to cause violence and kill innocent people.}
“I have never known a religion that promotes violence. Magaidi wanaongozwa na filosofia ya ujinga (terrorists are guided by a philosophy of stupidity),” said the President when he addressed the nation from the Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi, during the Fifth Mashujaa Day celebrations.
The President said there are extremist groups abroad that fund and nurture outfits whose aim is to create cleavages between Kenyans and spread a negative image of the country.
“These actors have positioned themselves as the gatekeepers and interpreters of Kenya in various capitals. If they were to succeed, they would so completely rob us of faith in each other that we would put our destiny in the hands of unelected, unaccountable institutions that answer elsewhere,” said the President.
The President made the remarks as he called on Kenyans to remain vigilant and guard their sovereignty against all those who wish to undermine the nation.
President Kenyatta said the government will from now on demand transparency from all institutions that mobilise resources, the same way public institutions account for the use of allocated resources.
The President said such accountability was necessary because it will also help the country monitor the funding of activities like terrorism that undermine progress in Kenya.
“Their funding and activities must be uncovered at all times to put a stop to their campaign to kill innocent Kenyan civilians and the brave members of our security forces,” he said.
The President said such criminal networks feed on the disunity arising from local leaders whose constant negativity divides communities and causes false ethnic and religious antagonisms.
The head of state said the government will increase measures to control incitement through legal means.
“We will insist – with every legal tool at my disposal – that the use of public pulpits by all leaders, teachers, preachers and imams be lawful and focused on building national cohesion”.
The President called on politicians who dwell on criticism instead of contributing to progress to change their ways so that Kenya can reap benefits from devolution and the ongoing East African integration.
“Unfortunately, too many of our leaders are masters at shouting at one another, seeking headlines more than real development, and using every ethnic and religious difference to try and split us apart,” he said.
He advised such leaders to compete to create headlines announcing concrete developmental achievements.
“The immense promise of Kenya will only be truly realized if we all insist that they change their ways and become masters of listening to one another,” said the President.
The President said he encourages a political market space whose focus is on development rather than endless and unproductive politicking.
He said this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrates the entrepreneurs who are rarely credited for the good work they do in building the nation.
“It is the prosperity they create which will allow us to offer the kind of education, health and security we all want for our children,” he said.
The President said the government will do everything in its power to improve services and lower the cost of doing business to assist business owners to succeed.
The President said there were a multitude of unsung heroes whose everyday efforts bring progress and unity to families, communities and the nation at large.
He cited the brave police officers, soldiers and civilians who risked their lives to save innocent people who were attacked by terrorists at the Westgate Shopping Mall last year.
Some of the police officers included Chief Inspector Stephen Lelei, Sergeant Moses Emojong, and the late Lieutenant Joseph Mukoto Masulia.
The President said Kenyans also celebrate our winning sportsmen and women.
{{THE STAR/KENYA}}
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