Some members of the Young Parliamentarians Association have criticised leaders they claimed have ill motives for dividing the country on tribal lines
Led by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, the MPs vowed to change the narrative and the country's politics by uniting the country as young leaders stating that the divisive politics as previously practised by some politicians was old fashioned.
The leaders said the Constitution has granted all Kenyans equal rights to live, associate and visit all parts of the country. This they said equally gives leaders the right to traverse the country without limitations.
"At times we want to divide Kenyans. But, if one understands this country, you won't think of dividing people. Yatta constituency for instance has 4,000 people speaking my language," Nyoro said.
The leaders spoke during a fundraiser at Ikombe Catholic Church in Yatta, Machakos County on Sunday.
The legislators included Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Timothy Kipchumba (Marakwet West), Anthony Kibangedi (Kitutu Chache South), Fred Ikana (Shinyalu), Njoroge Kururia (Gatundu North), and Kitui woman representative Irene Kasalu.
The legislators said they had resorted to traversing the country to support each other in development matters with the intention of ensuring improved livelihoods alongside uniting citizens in the 47 counties.
"If you see us today, I'm a UDA MP and support President William Ruto and his deputy 100 per cent. Babu Owino is ODM 100 per cent with Kibagendi," the Budget and Appropriation Committee chairman said.
"Kipchumba and Kururia were elected to parliament as independent candidates, while Wiper sponsored Basil to the same house and we are speaking the same language. This is the Kenya we want."
The MPs said all Kenyan tribes live in the 47 counties and hence there is no need to be divided by politicians for whatever reasons.
"I urge all Kenyan leaders. We must promote a Kenya that is cohesive. Let people live and do business in all parts of the country," Nyoro said.
Nyoro said leaders are the gainers and citizens losers if the country is divided.
"Let's build a country that isn't based on divisive politics," Nyoro said.
He said all leaders should acknowledge that Kenyans (electorate) are their bosses.
Owino said Kenyans have no reason to be divided since they all face the same, similar challenges in all parts of the country.
"Ndindi Nyoro is the only UDA MP who I respect. He isn't tribal, you can't succeed in this country if you are tribal," Owino said.
"The same problems are faced by all tribes; hunger, poverty, lack of school fees, joblessness, among others. Nyoro is uniting leaders to get you out of poverty."
The ODM legislator lauded Nyoro for what he termed doing a good job in the Kiharu constituency.
Owino said he had confidence that Nyoro would support all development projects in the 290 constituencies as the chairman of the Parliamentary Budget and Appropriation Committee.
He told the elderly politicians not to despise their young colleagues in the country.
"Don't be despised because of your age. We will respect elderly leaders, they should also respect us," Owino said.
"Ndindi Nyoro amewekwa moto huko Central. Nimewekwa moto Nyanza. Mkituletea amani, tutawaletea amani," Owino said.
Basil said as young MPs, they were development-focused.
"Kenya got independence in 1963 and the same issues our forefathers fought for are the ones we are struggling with now. Let's put retrogressive politics aside and focus on development," Basil said.
Kasalu on her part said their unity was people-centred.
"We have united as MPs so that we support our people," Kasalu said.
Kururia said Kenyans need each other from other.
"Youths are leaders of tomorrow. When Ruto was the Eldoret North MP in 1997 for the first time, we were in class six. Youths need to traverse the entire country. Tutembee Kenya, tukomeshe ukabila," Kururia said.
"This is to show that as young leaders, we are getting out of tribalism and partism. All parts of the country are open for development," Ikana said.
Ikana told Nyoro not to fear going to any part of the country.
"The Constitution has given us the right to get to all parts of the country and support development. Shun divisive politics based on tribal and political party affiliations," Ikana said.
Kipchumba said they don't want tribalism in Kenya. But, need equality as a country.
"We want a fair country," Kipchumba said.