Koibatek Deputy Commissioner Omar Ali has banned night political meetings saying they are likely to be used to plan violence during the election period.
Speaking Wednesday after chairing an election peace conference at Eldama Ravine Omar warned those intending to spread hate speech on social media of arrest and prosecution.
“We are asking politicians to desist from night meetings because, this is where the conflicts are planned and this is where the youth sometimes propagate hate speeches,” he said.
He ordered that all political meetings be cleared by the relevant OCSs so that they can be offered security.
While assuring the residents of a peaceful elections Omar said the security department has put in place measures that will ensure peaceful campaigns and election in the area.
“We have had a peace meeting to discuss on the way forward during the forthcoming election and we have come to a conclusion that we have to work together to ensure that there will be peace before, during and after election,” he said.
He noted that the chiefs will have peace meetings where they will invite all t stakeholders.
“Our chiefs are going to do peace Barazas and all the peace stakeholders will be invited to ensure that our people are sensitized on matters peace,” said the DCC.
He called on the members of the public to preach peace during and after election adding that it is their right to vote for a leader of their choice and it is their right to live in any part of the country.
“Peace is very important; with the absence of peace, we will not develop and there will be a lot of suffering,” said DCC Omar.
Omar also called on the public to help them with information that will help in arresting those that are planning to disrupt peace.
“Please let us know in time wherever we have conflict, whenever we have anything that threatens peace so that we can help you,” he added.
He asked political candidates to maintain peace and do peaceful campaigns noting that those planning conflicts will be arrested and taken to court.
“We are asking political candidates to maintain peace, respect the electorate’s decision so that we can move on with development,” he urged.
His sentiments were echoed by Koibatek Sub County Peace Committee Chairperson Grace Kaisang who is also the Chairlady of Maendeleo ya Wanawake Eldama Ravine chapter who asked women to be peace ambassadors and warn their sons not to be used to cause conflicts in the country.
“We want to live peacefully and vote peacefully, we want to live together even after election. I want to ask politicians to do decent politics. We still need each other even after elections,” she said.
Baringo SUPKEM Chairperson Abubakar Bilal and Reverend David Kuto said that they will be in the forefront preaching peace in the electioneering period.
By Christopher Kiprop
