President Uhuru, Raila Bury the Hatchet, Pledge to Work Together

President Kenyatta and National Super Alliance (Nasa) leader Raila Odinga on Friday held a meeting at Harambee House office in Nairobi, where they audited and reflected on the direction that the country must take.

After the morning meeting that lasted for hours, the two addressed a joint media briefing outside Harambee House, where they announced they had resolved to bury their differences and work together for the benefit of the Nation.

In his passionate speech, Odinga said that the leaders had realized that there are challenges in the country and it was time for the them to come together for a new dawn. "We refuse to allow our diversity to kill our nation. We have travelled so far ... we cannot make it to our destination without bridging the gap," Raila said.

He added: "We have to come together and solve the animosity that we have been pouring into the boat before we all sink. We shall not fail. If we stand firm we shall not fail."

"We need to save our children from ourselves. My brother and I have come together to say 'this dissent stops here'. We refuse to allow our diversity to kill the nation."

Raila said the leaders had realized that for as long as they remained divided, selfish and corrupt, no amount of institutional reforms would prosper. "We have been pouring new wine into old wine skins. We need leaders to secure the goals of peace, unity and justice. Such a time has come for Kenya," he said.

On his side, President Kenyatta echoed Odinga's sentiments, stating that leaders had agreed to unite and tackle the challenges the country is facing. "All we want is a common understanding that Kenya is greater than any one individual. Leaders must come together and discuss their differences on what ails the country like ethnic divisions across the country," President Uhuru said.

"We have a responsibility to discuss and find solutions that will bind, unify and give a life cycle beyond the five years we have given ourselves. Elections come and go but Kenya will remain," Uhuru added.

He said, "Our future cannot be dictated by an election but stability and the well being of the people. Election is only a process in which the will of the people is heard". "We now mark a new beginning as we match together on bringing our people together. We look forward to the support of every leader and every Kenyan," Uhuru added.

"We can differ politically but we must remain united on matters affecting Kenyans," he said.