President Uhuru Kenyatta today called on leaders to promote peace and unity saying that is the only way Kenya can achieve its development objectives.

The President, who spoke at the funeral of the former chairman of the defunct OlKejuado County Council Daniel Kasirimo ole Muyaa, said leaders should emulate the late civic leader and several of his peers who stood for the national values of peace and unity.

He said ole Muyaa's contribution to national cohesion can be seen in the manner in which, as a Maasai community elder and opinion leader, he participated in laying the foundation for Kajiado to become a peaceful and progressive cosmopolitan county.

“Kajiado has never had any ethnic tensions and this is as a result of the leadership of people like ole Muyaa,” said President Kenyatta. 

The President narrated how the late Ole Muyaa mentored and ushered him into elective politics saying the former civic leader was a close family friend. 

“I have known him for many years as a friend and political teacher. He loved peace and unity,” President Kenyatta said as he called on leaders to emulate selfless leaders like Muyaa. 

The President reiterated that his cooperation with opposition leaders is underpinned by the understanding that national unity is important for the achievement of the country’s development objectives. 

He said growth and progress cannot be achieved when the country is divided.

“Let us unite, have peace, grow our economy, fight poverty and fight unemployment together,” said the President.

Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku, Kajiado East MP Peris Tobiko and COTU secretary general Francis Atwoli also spoke at the funeral service attended by thousands of Kenyans. 

Former VP Musyoka eulogized the late Ole Muyaa as an astute grassroots politician and leader who stood for national unity, peace and progress throughout his public life. 

Governor Lenku and MP Tobiko thanked the President for the development projects being implemented by the national government in Kajiado County including the recently completed Kajiado-Mashuru-Loitoktok road.