Intensify crackdowns to curb campaign violence

The killing of one person during a violent confrontation at Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s public meeting in Embu and the stoning of Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s convoy in Garissa Town are terrible incidents that must be strongly condemned.

But even more importantly, the security personnel should urgently investigate this horrifying descent into violence, hunt down the culprits, and get them arraigned. Unless stern action is taken, there is going to be a proliferation of mayhem in the run-up to the General Election set for August 10, next year.

These two horrible events have sparked widespread condemnation from leaders, but the National Police Service should not let this lawlessness get out of hand. In Embu, the violence broke out at the UDA meeting after local youth were barred from entering a stadium. Several other people were injured, and six motor vehicles were torched.

Officers fired tear gas to disperse the crowds, while some youths responded by throwing stones at police and into the stadium. The chaos later spread to the surrounding areas, adversely affecting people going about their own business.

In Garissa, several vehicles were also damaged. Mr Musyoka and his colleagues faced hostility as they took their election campaign message to the north-eastern region. They have condemned the attack as an attempt to intimidate the opposition using violence. They also accused some top personalities of orchestrating the disruption of their visit.

The violence in Embu and Garissa comes as political parties intensify their mobilisation ahead of the elections. Such actions are a violation of the constitutional right of Kenyans to freely travel across the country and hold meetings. The freedoms of assembly, association and expression are cardinal constitutional rights that must be respected by all.

There is a need for political tolerance so that Kenyans can continue to enjoy their democratic freedoms. The Constitution mandates the safe operation of both the government and opposition as they carry out their roles and engage in grassroots mobilisation ahead of next year’s elections.

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