Kirinyaga County police boss Joseph Nthenge. [Photo/ Capital News]
A man who was in the frontline cooling the 2007/8 post-election violence has a special message for Kenyans as the country prepares for August 8 general election. Mr Joseph Nthenge, who was serving in the feared General Service Unit, was captured on camera, at the height of the 2007 chaos, urging rowdy youths on the need to maintain peace. This action earned him praise in Kenya and internationally, with global bodies such as the United Nations recognizing him. At the time, the General Service Unit officers were merciless with violent youths, often engaging them in running battles, beating them, and even firing in the air to disperse them. “Why should we destroy property? Kenya has been built for far too long. Please let us not destroy it in one day,” he was heard telling charged youths. Now that Kenya is just over a month away from the general election, Mr Nthenge, currently the Kirinyaga County police boss, has urged voters to make their political decisions without disrupting the peace that is now in the country. “During this period, Kenyans must decide to stay away from anything that may breach the peace. People should politic, vote for the person they love and more so the leader who will help them in future, and the one who will not bring chaos in the country,” he told Capital News. He has urged Kenyans to reject politicians propagating violence, adding that the cost of war is too devastating. “My appeal to Kenyans, please decide who will be your leaders in a peaceful manner. This is our country and we don’t have any other place to go,” he said. Under Mr Nthenge’s leadership, crime rate in Kirinyaga has reduced by 300%.