Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has beseeched leaders to forgive each other over political differences and focus on building the nation.

The DP said the country will realise better development if leaders resolved political differences amicably and forgave each other.

Speaking during the burial service of Mama Dorcas Wangari Muhihu, the mother of Priesthood Church Bishop JJ Gitahi at Kaimbaga, Ol Kalou in Nyandarua county, Gachagua said he had already showed the way by forgiving those who wronged him and asking for forgiveness from them.

“Let’s forgive and embrace each other and forge forward as a united nation. I have forgiven those who may have offended me and also sought forgiveness from those I may have hurt through harsh words. Those were matters of politics and we have already moved forward from that,” said the DP.

He also called on leaders engaging in hooliganism and sponsoring goons to hit out at their opponents to stop and amicably solve differences.

“This behaviour of violent politics; of throwing stones at opponents is backward and unacceptable. It is retrogressive to engage in violent acts to attempt to solve issues. We want people to resolve their differences peacefully,” urged Gachagua.

Gachagua praised Bishop J.J Gitahi for being a true friend if him and President William Ruto said he had welcomed and embraced them when everyone else disowned them previously before the last elections.

“During our difficult years, many friends ran away from us; our business partners disowned us, many churches disowned us, we were treated like people with Leprosy. But Bishop J.J welcomed us. We will cherish his friendship forever,” he said.

Leaders accompanying him welcomed the DP’s decision to ask for forgiveness from former first Lady Mama Ngina for dragging her in dirty politics in the last electioneering period, saying it showed great leadership and genuine interest in the good of the community.