Kenyans have been warned of sharing the 2007 post-election violence videos which are being used to create ethnic animosity ahead of the August 9 polls.
In a statement dated Tuesday, July 26, government agencies under the UWIANO caucus, noted that the circulation of the videos had become a common phenomenon over the last few weeks.
Further Kenyans were urged to be cautious of the videos they share on their social media platforms as some pose a threat to the peace and stability of the country.
UWIANO is an umbrella that brings together agencies such as the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), the National Police Service (NPS), and the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) among others.
"We call on the nation and all its citizens to join us in urging social media users to desist from using old videos that portend the risk of reigniting negative emotions thus inciting communities against each other.
"Let us all remember that our nation is greater than our politics and the leaders we choose. We need peace & prosperity for Kenya to move forward," NCIC boss Samuel Kobia stated.
On his part, police spokesperson, Bruno Shioso, added that security agencies were actively monitoring the social networking platforms as the country heads to the polls on August 9.
"We have intensified monitoring of hate speech and ethnic contempt on the social media platforms as well as the public forums and carried out community engagements targeting the youth, women and peace actors at the sub-county levels," he stated.
Additionally, other concerns that were identified by the caucus include attacks on candidates during rallies and increasing cases of intolerance among the voters.
A mediation team was formed to address some of the challenges.
In recent weeks, UWIANO has engaged various stakeholders in sensitisation campaigns across the country, especially in areas mapped as hotspots for violence.
The counties that were mapped out include Vihiga, Nyamira, Homa Bay, Nandi, Bomet Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Garissa, Kericho, Isiolo, Lamu, Bungoma, Kakamega, Siaya Trans Nzoia, Marsabit, Kiambu, Kisumu, Uasin Gishu and Nakuru.
