Kenya's peace efforts crucial, says Mudavadi

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has cautioned against politicising peace and security role that Kenya is playing in the region.

Mudavadi said the initiatives being championed by President William Ruto in Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Sudan are geared towards ensuring that Kenya is safe too.

Mudavadi also supported the appointment of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as Kenya’s special envoy to South Sudan to aid in peace talks and prevent escalation of conflict in the country.

“The President is doing a lot to ensure that we realise regional stability and peace to help us focus on addressing issues that affect the wellbeing of the citizens,” said Mudavadi.

He made the remarks during an Iftar dinner in Malindi, Kilifi County.

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“We should not take the peace and unity of our country for granted. If Kenyans witness what is happening in neighbouring countries, they will appreciate the peace we enjoy here,” he added.

Mudavadi, who is also the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary, said the government is actively involved in peace efforts in neigbouring countries to prevent a spillover of the instability to Kenya. 

“What the President is doing is a preventive measure so that Kenya does not get itself in a situation where our national peace and security is compromised as a result of conflict in the neighbouring countries. When peace effort comes from Kenya, people tend to think that we are wasting efforts. I want to tell you that if all these countries become insecure around us, the instability will spill over to our country,’’ Mudavadi explained.

He said the government is committed to ensuring that warring parties reach an agreement.

Raila travelled to Juba, South Sudan where he met with President Salva Kiir but was not allowed to visit Vice President Riek Machar who is under house arrest with his wife.

Upon his return on Saturday, Raila said Ruto had spoken to other leaders in the region about deteriorating security situation in South Sudan.

“I went to Juba and had a meeting with Salva Kiir. We know that recently Machar has been put under house arrest – him, his wife and a number of other people. This is what concerned the leadership in the region. The situation in South Sudan is explosive and can explode anytime so I had a lengthy conversation with Kiir,” said Raila.

He added: “I asked to be allowed talk to Machar but they did not allow me to see him and recommended I meet with Yoweri Museveni of Uganda. From Juba I went to Entebbe and reported to him what I had found in South Sudan,” he said.