Women leaders sound alarm over rising political tensions in Trans Nzoia

By  Evans Jaola

Contributor

NTV

What you need to know:

• Maendeleo Ya Wanawake leaders warn that ethnic rhetoric, alleged voter transfers and political violence could threaten peace in cosmopolitan county.
• They want authorities to investigate alleged illegal voter registration and prosecute politicians accused of using youth to fuel political violence.

Women leaders in Trans Nzoia have expressed concern about divisive political rhetoric amid fears of illegal voters’ transfer and listing that could undermine cohesion in the cosmopolitan county.

Under the Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation (Mywo), they also warned against divisive and ethnic political utterances. They observed that reports of alleged transfer and illegal listing of foreigners as voters must be investigated and action taken to ensure public trust and integrity of 2027 election results.

The leaders further condemned ethnic utterances and rhetoric that could divide residents. Speaking at their office in Kitale, the leaders, led by Mywo chairperson Jane Wekesa and officials Beatrice Kitiabi and Mary Barasa, said the prevailing political temperature is dangerous and must be contained to prevent ethnic animosity.

They said politicians propagating negative ethnicity should be investigated and prosecuted, noting that allegations of voter transfer and listing of non-residents are also causing panic and tension. “We want no negative ethnicity. We warn leaders to stop using our people, especially the youth, for selfish political interests,” Beatrice said.

Jane said women are especially concerned about a politically charged and polarised county. “Our politicians use this county as a battleground and most of them use our youth to divide our people; this is a wrong trend.”

The Mywo officials cited cases of political violence and “goonism”, noting that innocent youth, women and children stand to suffer. “We warn leaders using our youths to cause violence and chaos in political forums that we are going to name and shame perpetrators so that they are prosecuted,” Jane said.

They demanded that security officers take action against those using handouts and ethnic utterances to divide locals for cheap political gain.

Once known as a small Kenya because of its cosmopolitan nature, Trans Nzoia is facing political tension, ethnic mobilisation and division ahead of the next election. In the midst of this are high political temperatures and divided supporters of elected politicians. One camp is led by Governor George Natembeya and the other by Kenya Kwanza leaders with blessing from Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.

The women leaders also condemned Endebess Member of Parliament Robert Pokose for threatening violence last Thursday in Chepchoina against anyone attempting to stop Kenyans living in neighbouring Uganda from registering as voters.

A human rights lobby group has also weighed in, demanding the arrest and prosecution of the legislator and noting that his words did not only breach the peace but could also cause ethnic animosity. “Many communities live here. His words were dangerous and it is sad that no action has been taken against him,” said Boniface Wanyoike, the programme officer at Justice and Peace Centre, Kitale.

Boniface said civil society groups are concerned over ethnic political utterances propagated by leaders from both sides of the political divide that could breach the peace. “These tribal trends by political leaders are dangerous, remembering that this county hosted people from different regions during the 2007/08 election violence, the government must watch and take early action to stop election violence,” he said.