国际英语新闻:Kenyan leader appeals for peace ahead of Monday polls

NAIROBI, March 1 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki on Friday appealed to citizens to vote peacefully and help determine the future of the nation, saying peace is the cornerstone of the country's development.

In a televised address to the nation, Kibaki who is not eligible for re-election after serving for 10 years into office, emphasized that Kenyans must consolidate the development strides the country has made by ensuring a free, fair, just and peaceful election.

"This Monday, you, as a voter have a date with destiny. By voting, you decide the leadership that will manage your hopes and aspirations. In casting your vote, you will be exercising your democratic right and taking your place in history," he said.

Some 14.3 million Kenyans are due to vote on Monday elections which are regarded as one of the most significant event in the history of this country because they will be the very first to be held since the 2007/2008 post election violence, when, within a seven-week period following the polls, and as a direct consequence of the contested results.

The elections are also significant because they will be the very first to be organized under Kenya's 2010 Constitution, which provides for safeguards against unfair, insecure, corrupted, non transparent or inefficiently administrated elections.

Already, the country's security agencies and the electoral body charged with overseeing the March 4 polls have confirmed their readiness for the exercise.

However, despite the eagerness to vote, fear of election violence erupting in the East African nation is growing as the clock ticks towards March 4.

Kibaki noted that every election produces winners and losers and appealed to those who shall be declared winners to embrace victory with humility and begin the journey of serving the people in earnest.

"Let us send a clear message to the world that our democracy has come of age. A peaceful vote is a vote for a secure, prosperous and stable Kenya. Remember Monday March 4 is your date with destiny. Cast your vote and keep the peace," he added.

President Kibaki called on all Kenyans to play their individual roles through tolerance and by embracing peace.

"To those who will not win, your country still needs you. There are many other roles you can play in our development endeavors." The president also assured citizens that the government has mobilized all its security personnel to ensure that a peaceful election.

"We must guard our national unity and protect our homeland of Kenya," President Kibaki said.

The President pointed out that as Kenyans cast their votes for their preferred candidates on Monday 4 for the first time since the birth of the second republic following promulgation of the Constitution, they shall be shaping the destiny of the nation.