Embu police are investigating the circulation of hate leaflets in parts of the county on Saturday night.
The leaflets titled 'Warning to Embu People' say the minority Mbeere community will take over county leadership.
The authors ask the majority community to support the leadership or leave Mbeere sub-counties, and say former Senator Lenny Kivuti's leadership must be respected as there is no option.
"We are taking over the governor’s seat with our cash
mpende msipende
(whether you like it or not)," state the leaflets which were
distributed at Embu bus park, Spring Valley estate and Karurumo towns.
The authors also ask residents who own land in Mbeere to leave as this does not guarantee they can live there.
They say the oppression of Mbeere people has come to an end and that freedom will come at last.
They add: "Embu people will know who the Mbeere people are and that they have all the money to buy even the Supreme Court."
The leaflets follow a ruling by the
Embu High Court a recount of votes cast last August due to "inflation, swapping, doctoring, and stealing".
Justice William Musyoka ruled last Thursday on the petition against governor Martin Wambora, that was filed by Kivuti, a member of the Mbeere community.
The votes will be recounted at specified polling stations in
Mbeere South, Runyenjes and Manyatta constituencies.
Musyoka further ordered the scrutiny of forms 37A and B at these locations.
Embu West DCI boss George Etyiang condemned the threats and promised county security officials would carry out a probe.
Etyiang
assured residents of "total safety" and assured that those behind the leaflets will be arrested and prosecuted.
Mbeere South MP Geoffrey Kingangi said the culprits were trying to drive a wedge between Mbeere people and the rest of Embu residents.
Kingangi noted that the August 8, 2017 general election
was not about Mbeere and that the county is cosmopolitan.
"The election
was about seeking a leader to serve all the people equally. To suggest that a leader will 'sit' on the other community is ridiculous and unfortunate. This occurrence should not be encouraged."
He urged all leaders, Kivuti and Wambora in particular, to speak against such actions and police to speedily investigate the matter.
Mbeere North MP Muriuki Njagagua termed the move backward and noted the constitution
guarantees everyone freedom of movement and the right to own property in any part of the county.
Embu woman representative Rose Mitaru termed the leaflets "demonic and unacceptable" as Embu belongs to all its residents.
Regarding the petition against the governor, she noted whoever wins will lead the county.
Mitaru asked police to use their expertise to teach those behind the leaflets a lesson so they can stop dividing Embu residents.
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