Heed appeal to avert mayhem during polls

The General Election, which is about nine months away, is not the first and will not be the last, and, therefore, politicians should campaign with some decorum and avoid confrontations that threaten peace and stability.

After all, this country is a robust democracy that, since independence six decades ago, has held fairly free and fair elections every five years without fail. There is a proper legal system through which those aggrieved by election results can seek redress.

As the Catholic bishops have cautioned, the increasing ethnic and inflammatory rhetoric by politicians ahead of the elections to be held on August 10 next year could easily plunge the country into chaos.

The religious leaders have called on leaders to avoid making hateful and demeaning statements.

A repeat of the post-2007 election violence in which nearly 1,500 people were slaughtered and nearly 600,000 evicted from their homes and farms must be avoided at all costs.

The bishops also put the security agencies on notice over their performance following reports of intensifying violence, intimidation and violation of civic rights. They should apply the law without favouring any individuals or political formations.

The Catholic bishops warned those aspiring for elective positions and the incumbents against tribal and inflammatory talk that can only cause mayhem. Their caution comes amid escalating political tensions and bitter exchanges between political rivals, including President Ruto and his critics.

We have a country beyond the elections; hence the need for sobriety, peace, and stability to avert anarchy. The leaders should stop the increasing incitement and work hard to protect and develop the country.

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