I am ready for dialogue, but no insults – Uhuru

President Uhuru Kenyatta has said he is ready to dialogue with the opposition only if leaders are ready to engage in a discourse that is devoid of insults.

Kenyatta, who toured Bungoma County in the first day of his four days visit of the Western Kenya region, shared a podium with some of his political nemesis where he told them that his government is keen on development that will transform the lives of Kenyans as opposed to political rhetoric.

President Kenyatta kick-started his tour of Western Kenya and the North Rift region by commissioning several projects in Bungoma County including the Lwakhakha border post and the Lwakhakha-Sirisia road as well as water projects in Sirisia before awarding Kibabii University a service charter to become a fully-fledged university.

Here, political undertones creeped in as opposition leaders present sought to engage the president on dialogue issues.

“You say we are critical of your government and we shall continue to do so and, as your predecessor said yesterday (Friday), dialogue is needed in this country. We don’t hate you when we criticize you, we want you to be a better leader,” said Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula.

“Mimi sikuangi na shida kuongea na watu, lakini kuongea sio matusi. Criticism is good uniambie hapa umekosea rekebisha hivi lakini matusi hapana,” said President Kenyatta.

(I have no problem with dialogue, but I don’t have time for insults. Criticism is good; correct me when I’m wrong but no insults.)

President Kenyatta then went to Kakamega County where he met local leaders.

He will later go to Kisumu on Sunday where he will attend a church service at the Anglican Church of Kenya.