Muslim faithfuls in Kenya celebrate Eid al-Adha

Thousands of Muslim faithfuls in Kenya today congregated at various prayer grounds and Mosques to celebrate Eid al-Adha.

At the General (Rtd) Mohamud Idd grounds in Garrisa county, former Governor, Nathif Jama, led a section of leaders present in calling on fellow politicians to restrain themselves from any acts that could trigger violence.

They further urged area residents to uphold peace and shun candidates out to incite them into violence during this electioneering period.

Nathif who is seeking to recapture the seat he lost to Governor Ali Korane in 2017, said that inciting communities against each other in order to get votes is not only wrong but against the electoral code of conduct that we all signed when we were being cleared to vie’.

“As politicians, we are all out crisscrossing the county and country in search of votes as we enter the home stretch, my appeal is that let us stick to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) code of conduct, to which we all appended our signatures,” Nathif said.

“You don’t have to whip the emotions of your clan in order to gain sympathy votes. The electorate is well informed and they know the leaders they are going to vote for next month,” he added.

Nathif also appealed to the youth to be ambassadors of peace and be at the forefront in propagating messages of peace saying that many times they are used to cause violence.

The former governor who is running on an ODM ticket asked the electorate to vote for individuals who have a proven track record and agenda of changing their lives for the better.

Abakaile Member of the County Assembly (MCA), Mohamed Ali, reiterated the need for both the political leaders and the residents to maintain peace before, during and after the polls.

“This is our country and it will remain so after the August 9 polls. We have jealously guarded against attempts by a few greedy leaders out to divide and incite us into violence for their selfish political gains,” Ali said.

“Elections are a one-day event. They come and go but we shall remain one as a country and nation called Kenya. This is my humble message to Kenyans wherever they are and more so for Muslim brothers and sisters celebrating this important day,” he added.

Both Nathif and Ali sent messages of goodwill to all Muslims across the country and reminded them to be mindful of the less fortunate in the society through sharing.