The hate filled speech and chest thumping of our political leaders is totally unacceptable and abhorrent. The call for mass action by the ODM leadership if the government does not bulge in their call for a ‘national dialogue’ is irresponsible and abuse of democracy. There are too many people who are unstable and respond to these words as a call to action, as we have witnessed in 2002, 2007 and recently in Wajir and Mpeketoni.

Democracy dictates that once a government is elected, it should be given space and time to discharge the mandate it have been given by the electorate until the end of it’s term. The opposition does not have the powers and or constitutional backing to demand for a national dialogue.

The freedom of speech as enshrined in the constitution allows people to express themselves through any media. However, this right is not absolute, and can be limited when exercised in a manner that violates the rights of others.

Section 77 of the penal code includes incitement to violence and promoting feelings of hatred or enmity between different races or communities. Section 96 introduces uttering, printing or publishing words that may cause physical injury or death among classes of people or community.

Section 13 of the 2008 National Cohesion and Integration Act, which established the Commission, criminalizes the use of hate speech and bars the use of threatening, abusive or insulting words or behavior in any medium if they are intended to spur ethnic hatred. It defines hate speech as that which advocates or encourages violent acts against a specific group, and creates a climate of hate or prejudice, which may, in turn, foster the commission of hate crimes. Section 62 (2) of the NCI Act provides: ...commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one million shillings.

As an organization we feel that the constitution and the penal code have been grossly violated yet action have not been taken against the perpetrators.

Kenya belongs to all of us; nobody is superior nor inferior, no life is dear than another. Irrespective of our tribal, political or religious affiliation, we belong together and we are Kenyans. In his book, Martin Luther King Jnr. said

“Hate multiplies hate,
violence multiplies violence,
and toughness multiplies toughness
in a descending spiral of destruction....
The chain reaction of evil --
hate begetting hate,
wars producing more wars --
must be broken,
or we shall be plunged
into the dark abyss of annihilation.”

We are calling on all politicians to tone down their tongues; we learnt the lessons of their burning tongues which almost brought our country on its knees.

We believe in our able president to whom we gave the mandate to govern this country for the next four years. We agree that there are challenges facing our country and our government is doing everything possible to reign in. These challenges will not be addressed in barazas, news conferences or in political rallies. They can only be addressed by sober people and within the confines of our laws.

Disrespect and name calling will not solve our problems; rather it will aggravate the problems. Neither interference by the ‘big brother’ will.

Brothers and sisters, our county needs us more than never before. We need to stand up for our beloved country against those who want to ruin it with their words of war.

ONE PEOPLE; ONE COUNTRY;ONE KENYA.

MAY GOD BLESS KENYA ,MAY GOD BLESS US ALL

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

I PLEDGE TO MAINTAIN PEACE

PEACE IS MY RESPONSIBILITY

KENYA IS MY COUNTRY

NO TO VIOLENCE. YES TO PEACE

"The worst people on earth are not the ones who commit evil, but those who standby and turn a blind eye" Emanuel Jal

Be advised: We, the ordinary citizens of this Country will no longer fight, support, or otherwise engage in any politically instigated conflict of any sort.Kenya is my country;Peace is My responsibility.