Uhuru Kenyatta warns opposition against talk of secession

Kenya’s embattled President Uhuru Kenya has issued a stern warning to opposition politicians threatening the country’s peace, stability and sovereignty.

Ina scathing address to the country’s governors and their deputies at their first meeting, the president said he was open to dialogue with individual opponents and the opposition collectively. He however warned that dissent that threatened the lives and property of Kenyans would not be tolerated.

“We will not entertain any language, any action that threaten our territorial integrity,“Kenyatta in his address to the governors.

Opposition politicians from the National Super Alliance have refused to acknowledge the outcome of the October 26 repeat presidential poll and the legitimacy of Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidency.

They had earlier planned to swear in Raila Odinga as the ‘people’s president’, plans that were called off at the last minute, at the urging of international stakeholders.

A section of the same opposition leaders are also pushing for secession of parts of the country to create the People’s Republic of Kenya.

But the president who was accompanied by former Ghanaian president John Mahama appealed to all politicians to desist from divisive politics and act within constitutional provisions in everything they do.

“Those who wish to operate outside the constitutional order will be dealt with firmly.” the president said.

We shall not tolerate any language or action that threatens the territorial integrity of our nation or threatens life or property. pic.twitter.com/kagnaAh7Fy

— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) December 14, 2017

Some county assemblies have already passed the people’s assembly motion to push for the opposition agenda.

In Parliament, Minority Leader John Mbadi was thrown out after stating the country had no president.

The president then pledged to work with the governors and their deputies to deliver on campaign pledges for the unity and improvement of lives of Kenyans.

He listed housing, food security, nutrition and creation of jobs through manufacturing as some of the areas the government is to partner with the local leaders to ensure success of his government’s agenda.