by Chris Mgidu and David Musyoka
NAIROBI, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday vowed to beef up security across the country to ensure next week's presidential election is peaceful.
Kenyatta, who addressed the nation during celebrations to mark the Heroes Day in Nairobi, urged Kenyans to stand up and reject leaders who are scheming to plunge the country into chaos.
"As we prepare for the presidential election on Oct. 26, it is important that we maintain peace, just as we did and have done before. Voting to elect leaders of our choice is a right that was hard won by our forefathers, which we should guard it jealously," he said.
Kenyatta said his government will not tolerate chaos disguised as exercise of freedom to create suffering in the country.
He said those calling for some Kenyans to stay away from the polls were against the ideals that the country's forefathers struggled and died for.
"To those threatening and intimidating the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), its staff and other entities, this must cease forthwith. We must trust, nurture and safeguard our institutions to enable them to grow and perform their functions," he said.
The warning comes amid the poll standoff between the ruling coalition led by Kenyatta and the Opposition coalition, the National Super Alliance (NASA) after its leader Raila Odinga withdrew from the repeat polls accusing the IEBC for failing to implement reforms requested by them.
Odinga argued that the mistakes that brought about the annulment of the vote was most likely to be repeated because reforms have not been taken at the electoral body.
The opposition leader has since urged the IEBC to postpone in light of the ongoing political turmoil and disagreements among the stakeholders, urging his supporters to stay away from the Oct. 26 presidential elections.
After the Aug. 8 election, Odinga contested the outcome, claiming that election officials rigged the vote in favor of Kenyatta.
The Supreme Court on Sept. 1 annulled presidential race results in a verdict that sent shockwaves to many and reverberated across the world.
However, Kenyatta said Kenya has a constitution that guarantees many rights but it was saddening that those freedoms are being used to perpetuate impunity and create anarchy.
He said Kenya has had a second peaceful election since 2007 and that the government will not allow a repeat of the painful past where lives and properties were lost.
"We vowed never to repeat the regrettable events that almost sunk us. We must, therefore, wake up and say "No" to any misleading leader out to plunge Kenya into chaos. Kenyans have the choice and means of resisting such leaders and their evil schemes, and should do it now," Kenyatta said.
He said the East Africa needs to move forward and away from the unending campaign mood and called on Kenyans to exercise their democratic right on Oct. 26 to defend their inalienable right to vote for the leader of their choice.
Kenyatta said the government is ready to counter any threats to national security during and after the Oct. 26 fresh presidential elections. He said the security apparatus has been enhanced and appropriately deployed to maintain law and order.
"The law will apply equally to all regardless of social class, political position and no one will be spared. For those who thrive in chaos and relish anarchy, your days are numbered; the law will take its course and sanction you accordingly," said the president.
He said Kenyans chose to remain peaceful, allowing democracy to prevail despite all forms of incitement targeted at the majority.
While Odinga has argued that there will be no election on Oct. 26 after his withdrawal, Kenyatta has insisted the poll will go as planned and threatened to deal with troublemakers.
Kenyatta said he has personally shown his respect for the law by accepting the annulment of his clear victory and subsequently offering himself for re-election.
He urged Kenyans to vote for him so that his government can continue with its transformational development projects.
The current standoff between Odinga and Kenyatta supporters has divided many Kenyans with a good number of citizens living in the capital Nairobi planning to take their children and other family members to their rural areas where they believe they would be safer.
