The conversation right now is whether as a country, we are going to hold peaceful, fair, verifiable and credible elections on August 9.
The attack on Raila Odinga and his entourage in Soy constituency should not be brushed off in the usual causal manner by the security agencies and the political class. Not so long ago, precisely towards the end of last year, Deputy President William Ruto’s motorcade was pelted with in Kondele.
This is a dangerous trend, if it is not arrested in early enough in the interest of the country, which has been hailed as a symbol of peace and democracy in the East and Central African region. Can Kenya hold a candle of democracy for her peers in the region and across the globe? What will be the net effect of allowing violence to reign in an election year?
The economy will take a further beating amidst the skyrocketing basic commodities’ prices. Reports indicate Kenya has always scored dismally on investor confidence in every election year. It is time we held an honest conversation on the net effect of politically motivated violence on our peaceful co-existence and the stability of the Kenyan economy. No investor will be keen to put his or her investments in a country whose election year smells of instability fuelled by political intolerance.
Political violence should be divorced from political campaigns at all levels. It will be detrimental and retrogressive to allow political intolerance to be a familiar script ahead of the August 9 election. There is no doubt that the political landscape is already divided between the Kenya Kwanza Alliance and the Azimio la Umoja Movement. While both coalitions appear to preach the much-needed unity of the country, some of the members have been loose in their public remarks in total disregard of the election code of conduct and the need to pursue a peaceful election.
In my considered view, security apparatus should be on high alert to decisively deal with political violence and avoid knee jerk reactions.
This year’s poll is billed as a transition election that has attracted high-octane political competition. There is an urgent need to ensure the country is safe for every person to hold rallies in any part of the country as a mark of a maturing democracy. Allegations that political violence is organised by known politicians should jolt relevant law enforcement agencies into taking action as obligated by law.
The Inspector General of Police should work hard to thwart acts of violence across the country.
A spotlight should not just be shone on political activities around the leading presidential candidates but also on other levels at county levels.
Counties such as Bungoma, Siaya and Kisumu have previously witnessed political intolerance yet very little has been done to bring to book the perpetrators.
In a constitutional democracy such as ours, every leader seeking public office should be allowed to sell their manifesto in any part of the country. We can always have a debate around the timing of campaigns but we should not debate on what the law enforcement agencies should do in the face of full access to planned chaos, if Kenya hopes to hold peaceful elections less than four months from now.
Has the National Cohesion and Integration Commission discharged her mandate as required and expected under the Constitution? In an election year, we expect the holders of the offices under the NCIC to be actively engaged with Kenyans and the political class. Unfortunately, one will be excused to conclude that the commission has over the years become moribund. We have from time to time witnessed the failure of the commission to decisively deal with cases of incitement in campaigns and this trend is likely to continue unabated.
Unfortunately, if the situation is not arrested in good time we are normalising violence as an election tool.
Finally, ordinary voters should make an informed decision on what kind of a country we want. We have tried the path of violence in past elections and always paid dearly only to find reason in a peaceful settlement. It is my considered view that Kenyans must stop violent campaigns for the love of the country.
Public policy and legal consultant,
