KENYA POLLS: Uhuru appeals for peace, sure of victory

Jubilee Coalition’s presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta voted at Mutomo Primary School at about 11.15 am and expressed confidence of a win in the first round and appealed for peace.

“So far all the reports that we are hearing (are that) the turnout has been very good and I think we are appreciative of that. Kenyans are coming out in big numbers to elect their leaders. That’s very encouraging,” said Mr Kenyatta.

Accompanied by his wife Margaret, mother Mama Ngina Kenyatta and other members of his family and Kiambu governor candidate William Kabogo, Mr Kenyatta asked his supporters to wait for the results at home.

“We continue with our call to our people to vote, to go home and wait for the decision of the people of Kenya. We are hopeful, we are definitely very hopeful of a Jubilee win.”

“We are a little bit discouraged by what we have heard in Mombasa but mine is just to encourage everybody in Mombasa not to feel threatened, not to feel worried and those who intend to vote to continue to vote and I’m sure that the situation will be calm.”

He urged for patience in areas where the Electronic Voter Identification kits were reported to have malfunctioned.

“We haven’t heard of many major complaints and our team is just starting to prepare themselves at our press centre. They’ll be briefing you and you’ll be hearing a lot more from us in the course of the day,” he told journalists.

He also repeated a pledge to concede defeat if he fails to win as he did in 2002.

“Nimejitayarisha vilivyo na Wakenya wananijua, wameniona hapo awali nikiwa wa kwanza kusema nimekubali kushindwa kwa hivyo mimi naamini ya kwamba asiyekubali kushindwa sio mshindani. Kwa hivyo sisi tunatarajia ushindi kwa hivyo tunangojea lolote waamuzi wa Wakenya na Mwenyezi Mungu na tutakubakliana na huo uamuzi. Tunaamini tutamaliza first round na tunashukuru Wakenya waliopo. (I’m prepared and Kenyans know me, they have seen what I did before -in 2002- when I conceded defeat. You know he does that not accept defeat is not a real competitor. So, we look forward to winning and for the decision by Kenyans and God. We are confident of winning in the first round and thank all Kenyans).

“Kenyans will have a leader (after this election) and that leader will be the leader of all 40 million people.

And asked how he voted: Nasema nimepigia Jubilee kura kwa hivyo nikisema nimepigia Jubilee kura unajua kile nimesema. (I’ve voted for Jubilee and I think you know what I mean when I say I have voted for Jubilee)
Mungu ni mwema. Tuendelee. (God is good. Let’s move forward), “ he said.