NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 2- Deputy President William Ruto has cautioned that political violence is a threat to democracy, and more so during this electioneering period.
The Deputy President made the remarks after ugly incidents were on Thursday witnessed against former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Uasin Gishu, his home County.
Police headquarters said Odinga’s chopper and vehicles were stoned during the chaotic incidents, just after the burial of Mzee Jackson Kibor in Soy Constituency.
In a Tweet, the Deputy President said political violence is retrogressive, divisive, and “tears down our democracy.”
The Deputy President is himself a victim of such violence in various parts of the country.
For example, on November 10, 2021, Ruto’s tour of Kisumu was interrupted after rowdy youths booed and stoned his motorcade in Kondele area.
The fracas broke out at the Kondele roundabout as Ruto’s convoy approached.
Police headquarters said the incident was over “logistical funds amongst local groups.”
Similar incidents have happened in parts of Nyeri and Muranga Counties and in Embakasi- during political functions attended by the Deputy President.
Elgeyo Marakwer Senator Kipchumba Murkomen called on the Inspector General of Police to move with speed and ensure the incident is probed, and those found culpable brought to book.
“We cannot condone violence anywhere,” he said in a Tweet.
Police headquarters said the group was “organized” but did not diverge many details on who was involved and whether there were intelligence reports on the same.
Earlier, Odinga had held a series of rallies in Elgeyo Marakwet, where he marketed his presidential bid, while in the company of a host of leaders, among them legislator Junet Mohammed.
Following the incident, police said, “peace was breached, lives put in harm’s way and the said helicopter and vehicles in the entourage damaged.”
“Quick action by police officers on duty at the scene averted what would have been a spree of destruction and attacks, resulting in serious injuries, including threats to lives.”
The Inspector-General of Police, “has issued firm instructions to the Rift Valley Regional Police Commander to urgently take decisive action against the perpetrators of today’s violence, including all those who will be implicated for planning and organizing the violence.”
In a statement, Odinga said Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago and Soy Member of Parliament Caleb Kositany were responsible for the incident.
“We have heavily invested in peace building as a region, we will not allow a few elements to take us back. I urge the security apparatus in the region to act with speed and get into the bottom of the matter,” the Governor said in a Tweet.
“They should also be on the lookout during this charged political period.”
The two leaders came out and condemned the violence, which they termed as unfortunate.
“I call on the two, and all leaders from the region who believe in our constitution, to come out now, not later, to condemn the incident and promise an end to the bizarre attempts to balkanize the country into ethnic and tribal party zones ahead of August elections,” the Orange Democratic Movement leader said in a statement.
He added, “despite the violence meted on me and my team today, I remain optimistic that Kenya will hold a peaceful, free, and fair election in August.”
After Thursday’s incident, Odinga said, “someone seems to be assembling a ragtag band of extremists youths, radicalized by lies and handouts to zone the country before pushing us into mayhem.”
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