Nip hate speech and political chaos in the bud to avoid violence
Kenyan military officers put out fires lit on a road during the 2008 post-election violence. If those who caused the violent chaos during last year’s by-elections had been mercilessly punished, the disruptions and violence we are seeing now — just a few months to the General Election — would be a thing of the past. PHOTO | FILE | NMG
Once again, a political rally in Kenya was disrupted by violence between opposing youths. Disruptions, heckling, incitement and violence seem to be permanent features of our political culture. Not long ago, two young people were killed in Murang’a County after violence erupted at a political rally. In by-elections last year, the whole panoply of electoral malpractice and crimes were beamed live in our living rooms.
Incitement. Hate speech. Bribery at polling stations. Beating up of electoral officials. In all of these and other incidents, politicians were the perpetrators, financiers or inciters. And yet not a single one has ever been prosecuted or otherwise sanctioned for these acts which are prohibited under our elections laws, Chapter 6 of the Constitution and the code of ethics of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
