DP Kindiki warns opposition against using violence to seize power

The DP said Kenya is a democratic country with well-established structures allowing for one to seek an elective seat without resorting to extremist means aimed at causing instability.

“The idea being pursued by some that you can use violence to control and manage politics is dangerous. They don’t care about the security of the nation, whether there is peace or not. Their only interest is power,” said Prof. Kindiki.

He spoke on Saturday when he graced the Baringo South Economic Empowerment at Marigat Grounds in the Constituency.

He said Kenya peace and stability cannot be traded for anything, saying the present generation must guard it for future generations.  

“We cannot allow such extremists to use violence to push their way to leadership. Violence cannot be an instrument to power. This country belongs to all of us and must be peaceful and sustainable for all including our children and those who come after us,” he declared.

Additionally, the second-in-command called on the opposition to come up with a tangible agenda and sell it to Kenya instead of preaching violence and slogans that would not develop the country.

While pointing to the government’s firm and expansive agenda on health, education, electricity, infrastructure, agriculture among others, he urged them to rival it instead of pursuing chaos and destruction.

“We cannot allow agenda-less people to take the country at ransom and spread fear among Kenyans because they want to ascend to power.

We are not requesting that Kenya should be peaceful. We are demanding that Kenya must remain peaceful. It doesn’t matter who is elected to what position, the country must remain secure and peaceful,” he said.

In line with ensuring a peaceful country, the Deputy President praised progress made in restoring peace in Baringo indicating it has been on top of the government’s security agenda.

As Interior Cabinet Secretary, DP revealed, he travelled to the area on many occasions to spearhead efforts to return normalcy to the region that had suffered from banditry attacks for many years.

“I am happy to be back to Baringo when it is peaceful. We know how dire the security situation was here when President Ruto came to office. He tasked me to restore peace in this region. I pitched camp here and made sure security was beefed up. I came here over 19 times, mostly to Baringo South, Baringo North and Tiaty, in search of peace and I am happy to see peace is back,” he noted.

With peace restored, several projects have been commenced and others are planned for the region which remains critical to the nation’s development.

Infrastructure projects are already underway with the construction of 12 modern markets including a major one in Marigat town costing Ksh.350 million and others in Kabarnet, Mogotio, Kabartonjo, Chemolingot, Barpelo and Tenges towns.

Affordable houses are also under construction in Marigat and the major towns in the county.

The Marigat-Mochongoi-Karandini-Muhotetu-Sipili Road that is key to lasting peace in the area is set to start anytime from now.

The last-mile electricity connection has picked up pace too after the county was allocated Ksh.783 million for powering up 4,000 more households.  

“Baringo is now a haven of development. It is a place for progress not a place of tears and agony.  We want to make the area 100 percent safe. The interior Cabinet Secretary is working hard to ensure this is achieved,” DP stated.