Waita condemns hooliganism in Machakos political campaigns

Machakos governor candidate Nzioka Waita has condemned political hooliganism, urging candidates to embrace peaceful campaigns and co-existence with opponents.

Waita said it is wrong for politicians to incite their supporters against their opponents, a situation he said was rampant in Machakos county.

He spoke on Friday as he received more than 200 Wiper supporters and grassroots co – coordinators at Raphael Mwangangi Memorial Centre in Machakos town.

The candidate was accompanied by his running mate and Machakos speaker Florence Mwangangi.

“I call on my fellow politicians to preach peace during their campaigns. They should stop inciting their supporters to violence,” he said.

The CCU leader was responding to an incident where one of his supporters was beaten at one of his opponents rallies in Tala, Matungulu subcounty on Thursday.

John Bosco was beaten at the rally attended by Machakos Wiper governor candidate Wavinya Ndeti alongside other politicians.

“I condemn the incident, which happened at Katine in Matungulu. Wiper politicians ordered their supporters to beat one of ours. There were goons who accompanied those politicians,” Waita said.

He said Bosco was admitted at a local hospital and the matter was reported to Tala police station.

“We are asking for the DCI to investigate the incident and arrest the culprits. We don’t want politics of violence,” Waita said.

The candidate said his opponents had made it a habit of insulting his running mate and himself.

“I’m telling Wiper politicians, let’s seek for votes with dignity. Let’s not divide our people with divisive politics,” he said. 

Waita said such acts of political intolerance are beyond time and should not be condoned at all.

He said Wiper leaders should engage in peaceful campaigns with respect to other leaders.

"To our competitors in Wiper, politics is all about competition of ideas and agenda. Have respect for other leaders and engage in peaceful campaigns. For weeks you’ve been insulting me in rallies but it is okay, now we know what you stand for,” the candidate said.

Florence said relevant government agencies should step in and investigate the matter so as to bring to book the culprits.

She criticised Wiper leaders for not taking any action while Bosco was being attacked.

The speaker asked Machakos residents to scrutinise leaders before voting for them.

"It is so disappointing to see such acts of violence. It is a shame that while Bosco was being attacked the leaders did nothing to intervene. We are calling upon the necessary government agencies to step in and ensure those involved do not walk free.

"My appeal to our people is to be wise when voting. They should do a proper background check to ensure they elect leaders with integrity,” she said.

Bosco dismissed claims that he had attended the Wiper rally with an intention of disrupting it.

He said he had been invited to the event by the host, Matungulu MP Stephen Mule, whom he supports.

Ndeti’s running mate Francis Mwangangi called for peaceful campaigns in Machakos county.

He however questioned what the victim was doing at the Wiper rally, leading to his attack.

Francis said the man was among other goons sent by their opponents to disrupt their meetings.

“Waita has confirmed that the attacked man is his supporter. My question is, what was his supporter doing in Wavinya Ndeti’s function?” he said.

The leader addressed the press after holding a consultative meeting with more than 200 Wiper grassroots leaders from Masinga and Yatta subcounties at Matuu in Yatta on Saturday.

The former Yatta MP said Waita sent goons to their political rally.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)