Nakuru county has been identified as a hotspot for election violence and candidates have been urged to campaign with decorum.
Nakuru is one of the most cosmopolitan areas in Kenya, with members of almost all tribes residing in different parts of the vast South Rift county.
The call comes days after the National Cohesion and Integration Commission declared Nakuru among the six counties with a high likelihood of election-related violence.
The NCIC said Nakuru has a 75.77 per cent likelihood of election violence. It was also identified as a centre for fake news, propaganda and incitement to violence.
Speaking after he was cleared to run for Nakuru governor as an independent over the weekend, Dr Stanley Karanja beseeched leaders not to stir up fear and anxiety.
Karanja said some politicians have mastered the art of creating a perception of insecurity, spurring masses of people move away, leaving only groups supporting certain candidates.
"Government agencies should be very alert and investigate whether someone wants to cause fear and impel certain populations to move. Those who are left will vote in favour of a particular candidate,"Karanja said.
"I urge the media to highlight all the cases of insecurity and hand the information to authorities for investigation. Insecurity should not be taken out of context or propagated because it can cause unnecessary fear," he said.
Speaking at a different forum, Nakuru Jubilee chairman James Karimi urged politicians not to cause confusion, anxiety and chaos when campaigning,"
Karimi spoke after meeting women leaders from different political parties and tribes in Nakuru.
He warned those with tendency to cause trouble for the sake of their own self-aggrandisement to know their days are numbered.
"I urge those contesting in this election, especially those with sharp tongues, to we Nakuru county residents don't want violence," the candidate said.
He said he invited women leaders from all tribes in Nakuru and those from different parties to the forum because women play a big role in peace-building starting from the family level.
"These women should become ambassadors of peace in Nakuru starting from their own homes. They are best suited to tell their children to maintain peace. Then the message will reverberate in other areas."
Karimi also urged Jubilee candidates to accommodate everyone and conduct peaceful campaigns.
Women present pledged to preach peace in their political parties so tribes coexist peacefully.
(Edited by V. Graham)
