What's a campaign peace pledge, signed by rival contestants, witnessed by clergy and politicians and sealed with promises of harmony and memories of past horrors?
It's nothing, just a piece of paper, if it's not honoured.
A campaign vehicle belonging to Uasin Gishu independent candidate for governor Bundotich Kiprop Buzeki was stoned and damaged in Eldoret town on Tuesday evening.
Earlier in the day, he had signed the campaign peace pledge.
Two Buzeki aides sustained slight injured after youths pelted the vehicle with stones near Safaricom House in the town.
The area where the car was stoned has a hotel popular for political activities, especially hosting youth allied to politicians in the region.
“It's a sad time for peaceful electioneering in our county. The ugly head of goonism has re-emerged. Our vehicle that was carrying our campaign director and Kesses coordinator was stoned,” Buzeki said in a statement.
He said the driver of the vehicle was slightly hurt and the vehicle was damaged.
“We have recorded the statement at Eldoret Police station for investigation to be conducted,”Buzeki said. He visited the police station to inspect the vehicle and also file a formal complaint.
Uasin Gishu police commander Ayub Gitonga said the attack was being investigated.
“We are calling upon all the political actors and our competitors to embrace peace and accommodate divergent opinions. Elections are not about oozing blood, but it’s about winning votes through progressive ideas,” Buzeki said.
He said primitive avenues of attaining political power should be condemned in the strongest terms possible.
The incident came on the same day Buzeki’s team along with his rivals signed a peace accord pledging to ensure peace and unity prevail in the region during the August 9 general election.
There are those who pretend to be talking about peace but at the same time use goons to attack rivals
Others who signed the peace accord were UDA candidate Jonathan Bii, also known as Koti Moja, and UDM candidate William Kirwa.
“We have pledged to ensure peace and unity of our people because we all need our county and country to remain safe always,”Bii said.
Buzeki has blamed some rivals and prominent politicians in the region of going round with goons to harass those running for various seats, especially independents.
Buzeki is an independent.
“There are those who pretend to be talking about peace but at the same time use goons to attack rivals,” Buzeki said.
Two weeks ago more than 10 supporters of Ainabkoi MP William Chepkut were injured after being attacked by goons in a rival campaign convoy.
Chepkut like Buzeki is defending his seat as an independent candidate. On Monday DP Ruto and his allies campaigned in the county urging locals to reject Buzeki and all other independent candidates.
Buzeki has asked the police to act on known groups of goons who may used violence to disrupt elections.
“The people of Uasin Gishu must be allowed to freely elect their leaders. We also urge the IEBC to help act against candidates using violence, which is against the electoral code of conduct which all of us signed," Buzeki said.
(Edited by V. Graham)
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