Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has emphasised the importance of peace in the country.

The fourth president was speaking during the consecration of Bishop Peter Kimani in Embu on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The former Head of State said that each citizen should pray for the country and avoid issues that might bring about division.

“Mimi sina mengi ya kusema, unajua mimi sasa sina mastori mingi, mimi ninaangalianga tu TV na kusikia redio lakini ningependa kuungana na yale yamesemwa hapa na makamu wa rais ya kwamba tuombee nchi yetu, tuombee amani, tuombee uwiano kati ya viongozi na nchi.

“Tuwache mambo ya ukabila na tupendane. Sisi wote ni wakenya na Kenya haiwezi kufaulu kukiwa na utengano, watu wakitupiana maneno, na wakiwa hawaheshimiani. Viongozi mheshimu wananchi na watarudisha hio heshima,” Uhuru said.

Bishop Kimani lauded

He also praised Bishop Kimani and said he deserved the consecration because of his virtues.

“Niko hapa kumshukuru mwenyezi mungu na kumshukuru Pope Francis kwa kututeulia rafiki yetu, ndugu yetu My Lord Bishop Peter Kimani.

“Ya pili nichukue nafasi hii kumpongeza ndugu yangu wa miaka mingi kwa akuchukua hio cheo amepata. Nimemjua Bishop Kimani kwa muda mrefu sana; rafiki wa dhati na mtu wa haki; mtu mpole; mtu wa heshima; na mtu ambaye ana hutu,” he added.

Uhuru also said he has hopes that the residents of Embu will help the new bishop discharge his duties with ease.

“Mimi sina shaka kwamba watu wa Embu mumepata kiongozi wa kuchunga maslahi ya watu wote. Mtu mnyenyekevu, hata kama ni mrefu vile tumesikia sauti yake ni ya chini. Hachokozi watu, na hana kiburi. 

“Mimi nataka nikuhakikishie My Lord Bishop ya kwamba vile najua watu wa Embu pia ni watu wakarimu, ni watu wa roho safi, ni watu wa bidii, ni watu wanamwamini Mungu na wanamcha Mungu na watakusaidia,” he concluded.

The event was also attended by President William Ruto, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and former DP Rigathi Gachagua among other leaders.