In a rare show of frankness and humility, President Uhuru Kenyatta asked Kenyans to forgive him during his State Of The Nation address on Wednesday evening at Parliament.
President Kenyatta apologised and sought forgiveness for any wrong doings he may have done during the run up, during and after last year's general elections.
"If there is anything I said last year which hurt or wounded u, if I said anything which damaged the unity of this country, I ask you to forgive me," Kenyatta pleaded.
The President acknowledged that leaders had learnt the hard truth that neither peace nor unity are given and that Kenyans must work for them.
"Last year taught us that if we don't put an end to unrestrained political competition, it will put an end to Kenya. Never again should a Kenyan life be lost for politics' sake Never again should Kenyans' property be destroyed on account of politics," Kenyatta said in his speech.
playPresident Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition chief Raila Odinga at Harambee House on March 9, 2018. President Kenyatta asked Kenyans to forgive him. (Nation Media Group)Odinga factor
At the same time, President Kenyatta praised his one time bitter rival now turned friend, NASA leader Raila Odinga for agreeing to set aside their differences for the sake of national unity.
"I commend Raila Odinga for great statesmanship he showed when on 9th March when we shook hands. If Kenya is to remain strong we must change our approach to political competition. Too many of us have manipulated our Ethnicities to seize power," Kenyatta added.
There was a moment of excitement in parliament when during the President's speech Embakasi East MP Babu Owino stood up from his seat and went and shook hands with the President in the spirit of unity and to symbolise reconcialition among the leaders.
