President Uhuru Kenyatta has been told to intervene in the escalating humanitarian crisis in Burundi, which has led to loss of hundreds of lives.
Speaking on Saturday at Bomachoge Borabu when addressing youths on their role in promoting good governance, Prof Bogonko Nyachieo and his counterpart Prof Ondigi Abaya said Kenya was the largest economic powerhouse in East Africa and had a ‘huge’ role to play in mediating in Burundi crisis.
Nyachieo challenged President Kenyatta to assert authority by helping the warring sides to come to a consensus and stop the bloodshed in Burundi.
“It’s good that we are talking about good governance when Burundi is burning. Kenya is the leading economy in East Africa and has an immense role to play in helping the warring sides come to a consensus. It’s time for President Kenyatta to help our neighbours instead of keeping quiet about the matter,” he said.
Prof Ondigi said Kenya had gone through a similar situation in the disputed 2007/08 polls and expected its leadership to intervene in time before the region calls for international community for help.
“We have been in a similar situation and I think everyone knows its devastating impacts. I think if it calls for subjecting the current Burundi leadership to an embargo as a way to pressure them to hold talks with the opposition, Kenya and Tanzania should do it because Burundi uses their ports to import or export among other businesses,” he said.
The violence is the worst the East African nation has witnessed since the unrest began after President Pierre Nkurunziza's illegal bid for a third term in May.
At least 240 people have been killed in protests and assassinations since April when Nkurunziza's candidacy was announced.