Lugari MP Ayub Savula and his Likuyani counterpart Enoch Kibunguchy have urged the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and the courts to have politicians take an Oath to preach and uphold peace during campaigns and the August 8th elections.
Speaking separately, the two legislators said the move will help cool down rising political temperatures that were witnessed during various political party primaries across the country.
Savula argued that President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto and all the five National Super Alliance (NASA) co-principals must be bonded by either the Supreme Court or high court.
“It is not enough for the head of state to demand that politicians observe peaceful campaigns, that approach is not working, therefore, we may require top Jubilee and NASA leadership to take an oath to uphold peace,” he said.
He said the courts, unlike NCIC, have powers to conduct the binding process in ensuring that the country remains peaceful during the electioneering period. “But it is important for the two institutions to work together in committing political players to uphold peace.”
Savula said violent scenes witnessed in Rift valley, Central, Eastern, Nyanza and several other parts of the country during ODM and Jubilee nominations was a pointer to a violent election unless the situation is controlled.
His sentiments were echoed by Dr. Kibunguchy who said Kenya cannot afford to allow the culture of violence to resurface again. “Politicians behind violent acts must be held responsible, we must refrain from instigating violent at all costs because Kenyans are
yearning for peaceful campaigns and elections come August 8th,” said Kibunguchy.
Savula said once they have been made to take an oath, politicians founding engaging in violent activities must be punished in accordance with the law.
Isolated cases of violence were witnessed in Lugari and Likuyani during ANC nominations with voting materials being burnt in certain polling centres including Seregea and several others in Malava constituency.
“We held a meeting over the confusion that marred ANC elections in Kakamega County and the party called off nominations in Malava and investigations are ongoing to establish who was behind the burning of election materials for action to be taken against them,” said Savula.
Kibunguchy, who is FORD–Kenya coordinator in the area, said the party primaries were peaceful, fair and credible. “We thank FORD-Kenya supporters and aspirants for observing a peaceful process,” he said.