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Kenya must deliver peaceful polls to honour late interior minister – Deputy President

Kenya must deliver peaceful polls to honour late interior minister – Deputy President

Kenya

Despite rising tensions in the East African country as it heads towards crucial general elections, one of the key actors, Deputy President William Ruto, is calling on Kenyans to play their part in ensuring a peaceful process.

He was speaking at a memorial for the country’s late interior minister Rtd. General Joseph Nkaissery, whose death was announced on Saturday June 8, 2017. Ruto said peaceful polls will be a fitting tribute to the 67-year-old soldier and politician.

‘‘We owe it to Kenyans to hold a peaceful election. It will be a fitting tribute to Major General Nkaissery. Let us stop making funerals forums for politics.

“The escalating intolerance to alternative political formations is UNACCEPTABLE in a democratic Kenya. Everyone should be heard in dignity. All Kenyans must REFUSE this dangerous, slippery & dark path that leads to conflict, chaos & anarchy,” he stressed.

Nkaissery was in charge of the country’s security until his death in a Nairobi medical facility, Karen Hospital, few hours after he was admitted for an undisclosed ailment.

He was a member of Kenya’s National Assembly from 2012 to 2014. He left the legislature to take up the cabinet post as Secretary for Internal Security and Coordination of National Government.

Kenyans will choose their next president, legislators and local representatives on Aug. 8. President Uhuru Kenyatta is running against his long-time rival, veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Some citizens are worried there might be a repeat of violence that followed a disputed 2007 poll, when more than 1,200 people were killed in ethnic clashes and political demonstrations. But 2013 polls passed relatively peacefully after Odinga challenged the results in court.

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