Leaders Welcome ODM-PNU Pact
The East African Standard (Nairobi)
By Moses Njagih
Nairobi
Central Kenya leaders welcomed the deal between President Kibaki and the ODM leader, Mr Raila Odinga.
Terming it as an act of statesmanship, the leaders were unanimous in their praise for the deal, saying it would bring peace and tranquillity.
MPs, Mr Peter Gitau (Mwea), Mr Emilio Kathuri (Manyatta) and Mr Nemesyus Warugongo (Kieni), and Nyeri mayor, Mr Joseph Thairu, said the agreement was a major achievement in healing a bleeding nation.
Kathuri and Gitau, however, said they would wait for a briefing from the President. Kathuri said it was time for Kibaki to give the Government side direction before the State opening of Parliament next Thursday.
“The President must give us direction on the way forward in passing the necessary laws to bind the agreement. But the deal reflects that Kibaki and Raila are statesmen,” said Kathuri.
Gitau said the agreement would solve the crisis that had threatened to tear the nation apart.
“Kenyans can now see light at the end of the tunnel. I am optimistic that the agreement will hold and help end political turmoil that threatened peace and tranquillity that Kenya has enjoyed,” he said.
Warugongo said Kenyans had waited for the leaders to act in the interest of the nation, and they had done so in the agreement.
“It is the only thing that would have solved the crisis and stop the killings and post-election violence,” he said.
The mayor said with a deal reached, the two leaders should now visit the regions affected by post-election violence and help restore peace.
Next entry: How Annan magic worked to seal Kibaki-Raila deal
Previous entry: Kenya can turn corner in six months-Odinga