
By: Diaspora Uhuruto
Posted: Oct,24-2017 08:16:46


We, Diaspora Uhuruto supporters, feel compelled to weigh in on the recent landmark ruling in respect of the Petition by Mr. RailaOdinga against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), its Chairman, Wafula Chebukati and H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta, following the historic August 8th 2017 General Elections. Kenya's Supreme court nullified President Kenyatta's election win citing irregularities by the IEBC and ordered the election management body to hold fresh elections within 60 days. Despite the disheartening ruling, President Kenyatta struck a conciliatory note in his televised address soon thereafter accepting that: "The court has made its decision. We respect it [though] We don't agree with it." He called for peace and termed this judgment part of "...the nature of democracy." It is significant to note that the President was acquitted of any culpability on his part and that in his characteristic humility has returned to once again seek a fresh mandate from the people of Kenya as directed by the apex court. In like manner, we in the Diaspora support full compliance with the ruling albeit with strong reservations as to the fidelity of the Court process that is now taking back 15 million Kenyans to the polls at great expense to the nation. We nonetheless continue to support President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto in the looming presidential election to be carried out by the IEBC as clearly stipulated, in conformity and as directed by the Supreme Court. Agitation by the NASA brigade for an overhaul or disbandment of the IEBC are therefore unwarranted, outside the scope of the ruling and must therefore be fervently resisted. Our decision to continue supporting Uhuruto during this turbulent period in our proud history is informed by the fact that beyond the duo's enviable development record, we in the diaspora have made tremendous strides towards full participation in our beloved country's nation-building endeavor during their first term in office. For instance, the Kenya Foreign Policy and the first ever Kenya Diaspora Policy were personally launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta at Kenyatta International Convention Centre on January 20, 2015. He followed this up a few months later by opening the Kenya Diaspora Investment Conference themed: "Development and Innovation-Opportunities for Diaspora," whereby he famously expressed his admiration for "the important contribution of our brothers and sisters who are living abroad [have made] to the development of our country. Just last year, Kenyans living abroad remitted 1.5 Billion USD." His government also lobbied for the African Institute for Remittances to be hosted in Nairobi which happened the previous year in November 2014. In addition, President Uhuru Kenyatta and his US counterpart Barack Obama struck a deal in Nairobi to jointly increase the validity of short-term business/tourist visas and student visas issued to each other's citizens commencing on September 22, 2015. This means that today, Kenyan applicants who qualify for non-immigrant visa are now eligible to receive a multiple-entry visa of up to five years for business and tourist travel. Furthermore, in terms of elections, Kenyacitizens residing in five countries outside home; Bujumbura in Burundi, Arusha and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Kigali in Rwanda, Kampala in Uganda and Pretoria in South Africa,are now fully able to participate in elections. The Uhuruto plan to include other Kenyan's across the world was unfortunately fettered by the failure of the 11th parliament to allocate any funds for this endeavor, a situation we are convinced will be remedied during the second term. The Uhuruto diaspora credentials are therefore unquestionable, perhaps buoyed by the fact the Mr. Kenyatta is himself a Diaspora alumunus (Amherst College, Boston, MA To cap his geopolitical triumphs, President Kenyatta earlier this year attended the G7 Summit, of the world's most highly industrialized democracies, at Taorimina, Sicily, Italy. This follows a whirlwind of diplomatic triumphs in hosting word leaders, including the United States President Obama, His Highness Pope Francis, the Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi comprehensive initiatives have endeared him dearly to both Kenyan's at home and in the diaspora. It is for these, any numerous other similarly compelling reasons, that we are unequivocally supporting the re-loaded UhurutuTano Tena campaign afresh. We intend to play a role, however small it may be, in mobilizing our resources to call supporters, friends and relatives back home to Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV), positively engage all Kenyans through dissemination of election education information and re-ignite the spirits of the Jubilee Party rank and file who watched in horror as their victory cruelly snatched away at the penultimate round. Roundi hiihatutachezwa --tukopamoja more than ever! Long live the Kenya's 48th County--the Diaspora! Long live a prosperous Kenya!! UhuRuto "Tano Tena" Diaspora Team Bernard Bosire Cathy Gitimu Betty Mwema David Koech Dr. Ben Chepkoit Douglas Mutua Dr. Pauline Muchina Dr. Jane Waithera Emily Hadassah Joseph Sitienei Joy Njenga Maurice Kinyanjui Noah Ole Moinkett Rev. Harun Gatobu Vincent Tongi Wilfred Kandie
Source: AJABU AFRICAN NEWS