President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on politicians to work together with a view of improving the lives of all Kenyans and has assured to continue engaging with all leaders, irrespective of their political persuasions, so as to ensure that Kenya becomes a strong and united nation.
Speaking during a new year luncheon hosted for Members of Parliament, the President reminded politicians to conduct peaceful campaigns ahead of the August 9, 2022, general election.
“I hope and pray that this spirit we have started with, we shall be able to carry on with it through till elections are over and for us to be able to bequeath again a new administration peace, togetherness and a focus on the issues that affect the people of this Republic,” the President said.
He further commended MPs for passing crucial bills, which he said, are key to improving governance and delivery of services to Kenyans.
“Let me take this opportunity to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the commitment you’ve shown especially by those of you from the National Assembly during this holiday period. You left your homes, you left your families and came out in huge numbers to pass pieces of legislation that are going to be a game changer.”
The President, who was joined at the luncheon by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, further said the passage of the National Hospital Insurance Fund Bill will enable the government to fulfill its universal health coverage pledge.
“The bill on NHIF and the other acts around the health sector is now going to open up and give us the opportunity to be able to give our people that which we promised them of universal healthcare,” he said.
On the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill 2021, President Kenyatta said the law is aimed at improving the country’s governance system and regretted that some leaders were demonizing the amendment for short-term political gain.
“And the political parties amendment that we are trying to push through which some people have tried to demonize as they demonized BBI. The bill is giving us an opportunity to be able to formally work together across political parties in the interest of the nation.”
He urged the Senate to emulate the National Assembly in passing the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill and other laws before them so as to ensure the country attains its development goals.
On the other hand, the ODM leader Raila Odinga commended the legislators for passing the parties Bill and urged the Senate to emulate the National Assembly for the benefit of all Kenyans, adding constitutional making is a work in progress and noted that Kenyans desire laws that will ensure good governance.
“They say that a good idea always yields to a better idea, and a better idea would yield to the best idea. So what you guys are doing is basically trying to improve governance in our country. So we really want to thank you very, very sincerely for what you did,” Said Odinga
Other speakers at the bipartisan luncheon, attended by MPs from across the political divide, included Leaders of Majority in the National Assembly and Senate Amos Kimunya and Samuel Poghisio as well as Senate Deputy Speaker Prof Margaret Kamar.
