By Tobias Ogutu
There is nothing as dangerous as political incitement. In 2007, political incitement led to deaths and the displacement of people during the post-election violence. The violence in Kenya was so severe that global mediators became involved. To restore peace and prevent further occurrences, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) was established. However, despite the events of 2007, some politicians still publicly make hate speeches that can incite violence among civilians. Unfortunately, the NCIC has done little to address those who spread hate speech among the public.
In the recently concluded by-elections in various parts of the country, including Kasipul, Mbeere, Malava, and other regions, chaos erupted due to hate speech by several politicians. In the Kasipul sub-county by-election, violence was witnessed during the campaigns, where the top two contestants, Philip Aroko and Boyd Were, openly used inflammatory language likely to incite violence. Despite this, concerned government departments remained silent, allowing the violence to escalate, resulting in deaths and property destruction. On Election Day, the violence intensified to the point that an observer, Honorable Opondo Kaluma, a sitting Member of Parliament (MP), was assaulted by a group of people and sustained injuries.
When all these events occur, it is the voters across the country who are affected. Currently, many voters, after witnessing the violence that erupted during the by-elections, are afraid and fear that a worse situation may unfold in the 2027 General Election. George Ochol, a voter from Agoro in Kasipul sub-county, says that after witnessing violence break out while waiting in line, he was overwhelmed with fear and returned home without voting. George now believes that a similar or even worse scenario might happen during the 2027 General Election. Because of this fear, he has sworn never to vote again. Many voters like George, who abhor violence, have decided never to participate in voting again after witnessing the violence caused by politicians.
It is high time that the government, through the security agencies and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), takes action to punish any politician who uses hate speech to divide the nation.
In Kisumu Town Square, where the public gathers to discuss national politics, Philip Ayieko was among many who openly vowed never to vote again if they witnessed violence at their voting centers. Marcus Aketch, on the other hand, explained that it is the politicians who incite their supporters and even bribe idle youths to cause chaos during campaigns and on voting day. According to Marcus, the NCIC should closely monitor what politicians say. If their words have the potential to incite violence, the politician should be arrested and disqualified from running for office.
From the news we see in the media and political discussions on the ground, the words politicians utter can either divide or unite a nation. Therefore, politicians should be careful with their language; otherwise, Kenya may witness another dark moment of post-election violence in 2027.
