Uhuru and his running mate William Ruto have held meetings with different groups since Monday.
They first met top security officers who gave them the mandatory security briefings as required by the law for president-elect. Uhuru and Ruto met presidential candidates Musalia Mudavadi, Mohammed Abduba Dida, James ole Kiyiapi, and Paul Muite on Thursday. Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who is challenging Uhuru’s election in court, did not attend. Narc-Kenya’s Martha Karua and Peter Kenneth also did not attend, but it was not clear if they had been invited.
The president-elect congratulated the aspirants for conducting a spirited campaign and articulating issues that needed to be addressed to move the country forward. He said political competition was a healthy way of entrenching democracy in the country. Uhuru, however, pointed out that political contests should not amount to disunity and enmity.
The president-elect said although Jubilee coalition won the elections, his Government was ready to work with all Kenyans, including his competitors in the recent elections.
No time to waste
He said there would be no losers or winners, because Government will serve all Kenyans equally and without discrimination. Uhuru said political leaders need to embrace each other in the spirit of togetherness for the benefit of the nation. Pledging their support to Uhuru and Ruto, the leaders expressed their readiness to cooperate and work with the new Government.
UDF leader Musalia Mudavadi urged the President-elect to take appropriate steps to ensure all Kenyans feel they are part of the new government.
RBK leader Prof Kiyiapi observed that the real challenge facing the country was not legal but political.
Earlier on Thursday, Uhuru met elected women under the Jubilee coalition and women leaders under Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation, Uhuru and Ruto said they “have no time to waste” and they will continue laying the structures for their Government, ignoring any proceedings from the courts.
“Those wondering what we are doing, we want to tell you that we are not keen on denying you your democratic right. The Judiciary is after all open to all. We want to tell you that we had our plan as Jubilee. We cannot waste any single moment on the ground that we are waiting for a petition,” said Uhuru. Ruto said Jubilee team had made “serious pledges” to Kenyans, which require immediate actions.
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