KDF chief of General Staff Samson Mwathethe has expressed concern over rising tension ahead of Thursday's repeat election.
He said politicians should stop issuing statements that could plunge the country into violence and bloodshed.
"Everybody has a right to vote or not vote. Those who would like to vote should go, those who do not should remain (at home).
The day will pass and Kenya will continue," he said on Saturday.
He was speaking during the burial ceremony of Assistant Superintendent of Police Grace Gathoni Mung’aro, a sister to Jubilee politician Gideon Mung’aro at Dabaso in Kilifi county.
The KDF boss said in his career in the Kenya Defence forces, he has traveled
in war-torn countries like Iraq, Iran, Yugoslavia and witnessed the effects of war.
“What I saw there I would not like to see in this country. In Iraq I saw a big mass grave that had many bodies bundled together. I do not want to witness that, let us respect each other,’’ he said.
Mining CS Dan Kazungu who was also present at the burial urged political leaders to invest their time and emotions in uniting people.
He asked political leaders in the opposition to stop propagating hatred and particularly hit out at Kilifi County Governor Amason Kingi and Kilifi North MP Owen Baya whom he accused of promoting divisions amongst the people.
“Governor Kingi, you are my younger brother. Let us bring our people together, the best days of Kenya are still ahead of us we will gain more by coming together,’’ he said.
Kazungu echoed
General Mwathethe's sentiments and urged residents who wish to boycott the elections
to stay at home peacefully.
"The issue of demonstrations is not acceptable,’’ said the CS.
Top security officials present at the burial supported Mwathethe's remarks on the state of the nation and warned politicians against spreading hate speech or inciting people ahead of the polls.
Coast Regional Coordinator Larry Kien, Kilifi County CID Boss John Ndung’u and Kilifi County Commander AP Commandant Elisha Ng'etich were among senior security officials who attended the burial.
Kien said the Coast region has experienced peaceful campaigns since the exercise begun in April and urged residents to continue preaching peace.
“Bad politics lead to insecurity, let us preach peaceful politics,’’ he said.
On his part, the Kilifi County CID boss put politician’s on notice over hate speech and incitement to violence saying they were monitoring them all over with cameras and recorders.
“Politicians we are watching you, watch your words in every meeting, I have agents with recorders and cameras, there will be no excuse,’’ he said.