NCIC starts probe into Osoro-Arati fistfight

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission has launched investigations against MPs Simba Arati (Dagorreti North) and Silvanus Osoro (South Mugirango) who fought at a funeral in Kisii on Monday.

NCIC chairman Samuel Kobia said on Wednesday the commission will summon the two lawmakers to record statements.

The Kisii violence erupted after Osoro walked to the podium where Arati was addressing mourners and attacked the Dagoretti North legislator. 

Punches and blows ensued, throwing the burial into disarray. It was the burial of the father of Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi.

Kobia also sounded alarm over rising political violence in the country. He said the rising political temperatures and pre-planned violence mirrors the years preceding 2007/2008 when the country descended into post-election skirmishes.

"With just over a year to go before the country's next polls, we are greatly concerned that the current political climate can be likened to that which proceeded the electoral violence in 2007-08," Kobia said.

Kobia expressed concern that political utterances were planting mistrust and animosity among Kenyans who have lived together. He said the remarks made by politicians were whipping up emotions and latching on ethnic stereotypes to fan passions. 

"The rising temperatures are being caused by premature political campaign and irresponsible rhetoric," he said.

Kobia said the commission has developed two lists of shame and fame ahead of next year's elections to curb the spate of political violence.

Arati, Osoro, Johanna Ng'eno (Emurua Dikir MP) and former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko were named in the list of shame while Njoro MP Charity Kathambi and her Fafi counterpart Abdikhaim Osman Mohamed were celebrated in the list of fame.

Kathambi and Osman had engaged their communities at the grassroots in peace-building initiatives, refusing to exploit local differences for their political mileage, Kobia said.

Further, Kobia said they had developed a multidisciplinary team comprising the EACC, DPP, DCI, IEBC and the Registrar of Political Parties "to work in concert in dealing with those creating violence and undermining cohesion, harmony and peace."

He said the youth should desist from being recruited as goons to be used by politicians to incite violence.

Those whose name appear in the list of shame thrice, he said, would be escalated to the wall of shame. Any further disgrace would disqualify one from vying for any national office, Kobia said.

The commission has also challenged political parties to take action against members who contravene the code of conduct espoused by the Political parties Act and Chapter six of the Constitution.

Kobia said the commission will be monitoring on a monthly basis those who break the code of conduct starting this month.

Edited by P.O