Police warn politicians over incitement at rallies
Police have warned politicians against inciting the public, saying they would be arrested and prosecuted.
Police spokesperson Charles Owino said security agencies are monitoring campaigns ahead of the August 8 elections to ensure peace prevails.
He challenged Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto to provide evidence linking area County Commissioner Bernard Leparmarai to plans to disrupt an opposition rally held in the area on Saturday.
“We know politicians were prone to making statements to gain political mileage but we will not hesitate to launch investigations into any claim so long as the complaints are made formally and with basis,” Mr Owino said.
During the National Supper Alliance (Nasa) rally in Bomet attended by opposition leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Moses Wetang’ula and Musalia Mudavadi, Mr Ruto claimed Mr Leparmarai had planned to disrupt the meeting.
He claims the county commissioner had planned to use some youth to cause chaos and deploy police to disperse the crowd.
UNSUBSTANTIATED REMARKS
Mr Owino on Monday cautioned politicians against unsubstantiated remarks, saying as law enforcers police do not favour any side in their work.
“People must remain peaceful. If you break the law, we will arrest and charge you regardless of which political [side] you belong,” Mr Owino told Nation.co.ke.
“We are not going to compromise any law. It will not matter who causes violence, whether in government or opposition. We will charge you in accordance with the law.”
He said security authorities are concerned that some politicians are keen on using unorthodox means to win votes.
He also announced that police and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission were still investigating allegations of hate speech in remarks claimed to have been made by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale.
Mr Duale has denied that an audio clip shared on social media is a recording of him inciting youths in Garissa.
