The political temperatures have risen as some governors and Opposition leaders led by Raila Odinga separately push for a referendum with President Uhuru Kenyatta's ruling Jubilee coalition terming the move a waste of time and a political gimmick devised by losers to remain relevant.
The high stakes game of violent politics with shades of blackmail, political zoning, outright incitement and belligerence and even gunfights and scuffles has already made the authorities worried. The return of political turbulence comes at a time when the statutory body required to check politicians' utterances is still grappling with a shaky transition and queries about its independence.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission, hitherto the monitoring agency for hate politics in Kenya, is in limbo as its newly-appointed leader does not have the legal authority to tame the politicians and enforce cohesion. His team is also yet to be sworn in, although this may be done this week, according to Government sources.
Yesterday, Francis Kaparo indicated he will be sworn in next Monday but said he said he was worried with the trend of violence in politics. See also: Raila woos Kilifi locals, says public vote will resolve ethnic bias "As a person, I am very concerned," was all Kaparo could say when contacted. He pledged to take a firm position as soon as he gets all the power to tame hate-speech and spearhead national cohesion.
The spotlight has now shifted to the police officers who have failed to stop the violence that to date has been reported in political meetings in Migori (which took place in the presence of the President), Machakos, Kirinyaga, Nandi, Makueni, Narok, Marsabit and Isiolo counties.
At the weekend, armed police stopped youths who wanted to disrupt a pro-referendum rally in Nakuru County led by the chair of the Council of Governors Isaac Ruto and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya. Their handling of the Mpeketoni killings – the quick arrest of Lamu Governor Issa Timamy, rushed charges in court, and finally an acquittal for flimsy evidence — heightened political overtones in Coast region. However, yesterday, the Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo talked tough regarding the political violence and promised to crack down on all the law breakers.
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