Angry Rift Valley Leaders have demanded the arrest of Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago and two other politicians over hate speech.
Gilbert Kabage, who is the Rift Valley Council of Elders Chairman, pushed for Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery to arrest and prosecute the Governor and two MPs, Oscar Sudi of Kapseret and Alfred Keter of Nandi Hills for inciting the locals against other communities who reside in the county.
Issuing a 7-day ultimatum, the leaders demanded that the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) prosecute the politicians as per the law.
“We call upon the government to immediately arrest the governor and the two MPs for inciting locals against some communities. NCIC should use the politicians as an example to others as the country gears towards the August 8 general election,” said Mr Kabage.
The leaders called on the IEBC to crack down on politicians who were operating against the electoral code of conduct. Secretary to the Council Mr Peter Charagu stated that action should be taken to maintain peace during the election period.
The sentiments were supported by People’s Power Watch lobby group Chairman Jesse Karanja as he urged all the relevant agencies to act accordingly to discourage politicians from inciting violence in their campaigns.
“The leaders should be prevented from causing violence especially at this time of elections. They should not be spared,” said Mr Karanja.
Mandago had earlier expressed his disappointment in the Jubilee Party for supporting independent candidates rather than their own candidates.
He specifically threatened Deputy President William Ruto against rallying the Kikuyu community to support Independent candidate and his main rival, businessman Bundotich Buzeki, for governorship contrary to which he would tell his supporters to vote for NASA.
