A section of Western Kenya leaders want the Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery and the Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko to order for the arrest and prosecution of politicians who stormed Moi University on Tuesday to eject the institution’s new Vice Chancellor Professor Laban Ayiro.
The leaders led by Busia County Women representative Florence Mutua want the politicians charged with incitement and fueling ethnic hatred.
As reported by the Daily Nation on Thursday, the leaders termed the act by the politicians as a threat to national integration.
They said that the act portrayed tribalism perpetuated by politicians especially in counties and public institutions.
“It is catastrophic for politicians to openly perpetuate tribalism and hatred, and we are urging the Interior CS and the DPP to order for the arrest and prosecution of the politicians who were involved in the incident,” said Florence Mutua as quoted by the Nation on Thursday.
“The act by the politicians was an embarrassment and also unlawful,” said Lugari MP Ayub Savula.
The leaders said that tribalism is ailing the country and needs to be stamped out.
“What the politicians portrayed is what happens every day and we must stand against it,” added Savula.
On Tuesday Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago and his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Alex Tolgos led MPs in storming Moi University protesting the appointment of Professor Ayiro as the new Vice Chancellor.
The politicians threatened to disrupt the institution's activities until the appointment of Ayiro is revoked.
However, Professor Ayiro took charge of the institution on Wednesday amid the controversy.
Reacting to the incident on Wednesday, Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i defended the appointment of Ayiro saying it followed the laid down procedures.
The incident by the politicians has elicited sharp criticisms from a section of leaders and Kenyans.
In Kiambu town for instance, local’s termed it is a primitive and shameful.
The locals said tribalism continues to eat up the country.
“What the politicians portrayed was wrong and unethical, every Kenyan has a right to work in any institution and any part of the country,” said Mercy Kinyanjui an educationist.