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Today, my heartfelt condolences go out to the families and friends of those who died in the attacks and counter attacks that happened within Tana River County. The killings are completely inexcusable. These attacks led to lives being lost, homes being lost and livelihoods compromised. This unfortunate and heinous incident is a humbling and sobering reminder of how desperately we need to stand together as one people belonging to one nation. The temporary gains we seek to claim by turning on one another eventually lead to our collective downfall as a people. Even as Kenyans seek to resolve historical disputes and wounds, I would ask that we focus on what unites us rather than what divides us. We are united by the desire to give our children a better future and better opportunities than we had. We are united in our desire to see an economically prosperous nation where the chance to succeed is the prerogative of all. In Tana River County up to 11 children died in a conflict that they inherited. Generally, residents in that area were propelled backward-not forwardby violence as they lost homes, providers, livelihoods and a sense of hope. We know that violence begets much more division unless there is reconciliation. It is impossible for differing communities to move forward if they allow themselves to remain in a cycle of retaliation and reciprocity. My plea today is therefore extended to all Kenyans everywhere. For the sake of our future, for the sake of our children, and for our own sake let us strive to uphold peace within our nation. Let us take personal responsibility for being part of the solution and for being part of creating a more unified Kenya. I will be touring Tana River County in the upcoming days to hold talks with local leaders from the different communities. I commend the efforts that are already underway on the ground to create opportunity for inter-community exchanges and dialogue. As I prepare to travel to that area, it is my firm belief that the recent suffering experienced by those communities is only redeemable if it spurs us all to promote unity and peaceful co-existence wherever we are. We must remember that our greatest accomplishments will come when we imagine; hope; act and build- together. Uhuru Kenyatta Deputy Prime Minister