Electoral agencies challenged to promote peace ahead of polls

Electoral agencies have been challenged to promote peace and national cohesion before, during and after the August 8, 2017 general Election.

Dennis Wendo, the Integrated Development Network (IDN) Executive Director, says that it is the responsibility of all electoral stakeholders to ensure that peace prevails during the electioneering period.

He called on the stakeholders in the August polls to remain vigilant saying that they will be held responsible in case of any violence or disruption of the democratic process.

This comes at a time the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has raised a red flag over the re-emergence of criminal gangs and armed militia in the run up to the General Election.

Speaking during a peace forum organized by the Integrated Development Network, Liban Guyo, the Director of Peace Building and Reconciliation at NCIC revealed that the commission has been monitoring the groups and have shared the information with security agencies.

The commission also says it has acquired state of the art equipment with ability to shut down social media sites found spreading hate speech.

Mr Guyo also cautioned that the credibility of the election will play a big role in forestalling any violence.

Speaking at the same function, former member of the Committee of Experts, Mr Abdirashid Abdulahi, cautioned Kenyans against falling into the trap of the campaign euphoria where politicians use tribal affiliations to win votes.

Dr Shem Ochuodho, who spoke on behalf of Kenyans in the Diaspora, said the exclusion of majority of Kenyans living out of the country from the voting process may raise serious credibility issues.