NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 20- The National Cohesion and Integration Commission has initiated investigations on what caused the violence witnessed on Sunday at the Jamhuri grounds in Embakasi East constituency.
Francis Mureithi, the United Democratic Alliance parliamentary candidate sustained a head injury, during the fracas that he blamed on the incumbent MP, Babu Owino.
Owino has since denied playing a role saying his supporters stayed at home.
As NCIC investigates, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has called on the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji to prosecute those behind the incidents.
In a statement, IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati termed the Sunday incidents as shameful, saying the violence “endangered the lives and property of Kenyans.”
“The Commission wishes to remind candidates, political parties, supporters of candidates, the Government and indeed all Kenyans that they had a duty to adhere to the Electoral code of conduct and to shun violence,” he said.
UDA politicians had further claimed that their presidential candidate William Ruto’s motorcade was stoned while leaving the venue.
A similar incident happened during a previous rally by the Deputy President. UDA, in a letter to the electoral body said the violence had been planned.
Tension started on Saturday night after several dozens of police officer condoned the venue and stopped UDA organizers from erecting a tent.
Police claimed to had received intelligence reports indicating there would be breach of peace.
They blamed it on goons- without divulging further details on who had planned it and what they intended to do about it.
MP Owino had claimed of notifying the police that he would use the venue on the same day as UDA.
Shahidi News however established that he did a day after UDA through Mureithi booked the venue and paid for the fees to the Nairobi City County.
Chebukati said such incidents may compromise the conduct of free, fair and peaceful election, and “ultimately jeopardize the security of the country.”
On his part, NCIC blamed the violence on the “rowdy crowdy from both the Azimio and Kenya Kwanza supporters.”
NCIC chairperson Prof. Dr. Samuel Kobia said those involved are set be arrested.
“We hereby put politicians on notice that this is not the time for violence as a means of political mobilization. As a country and as the NCIC , we remain committed to achieving political decency in the 2022 general elections,” he said.
“We shall not tolerate the political thuggery exhibited in Jacaranda Grounds yesterday.”
Like IEBC, the commission urged political parties to also condemn the violence and commit themselves to political decency.
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