NCIC Chairman Francis ole Kaparo. mediamaxnetwork.co.keNational Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Chairman Francis ole Kaparo has issued a warning to politicians who hire youth to heckle at opponents at political rallies.
Kaparo who spoke at a press conference in Nairobi on Monday said NCIC will probe all violence incidents and bring the perpetrators to book.
“We all look forward to a peaceful election,” he said the press briefing held at the Intercontinental hotel.
“All of us, every Kenyan has a duty and a right to remain peaceful before, during and after the election. And for that reason, we call upon our political leaders to embrace a culture of tolerance.”
The country has in the last one month witnessed cases of violence especially at political rallies where youth ‘hired’ heckle at politicians.
The last case happened in Githurai and Thika in Kiambu when youth booed NASA leaders Raila Odinga, Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula when they campaigned in the county.
The heckling came a day after similar incidents played out in Kisumu where President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto were shouted down while Raila’s meeting in Baringo prematurely ended when youth burnt opposition posters.
“That you do not organise goons to go and heckle your opponents,” Kaparo said.
“Every Kenyan interested in political leadership has a right to be heard everywhere in Kenya. I call upon Kenyans to accept that fact because the contrary is stupid. This heckling is stupid and also a recipe for chaos.”
He said every aspirant has a following and reckless utterances should not be directed at specific leaders because this could anger their supporters.