Kenyan politicians warned against hate speech

Leaders have been told to stop politicising the Ocampo Six trials and warned against public utterances likely to rekindle violence in the country.

Anglican Church Archbishop Eliud Wabukala on Sunday told a congregation at the All Saints Cathedral that inflammatory statements could lead to anarchy as Education minister Sam Ongeri warned against hate speech.

“The Ocampo Six and ICC trials should not be politicised. This is a foundation for chaos in the General Election,” Dr Wabukala warned.

He urged the President and the Prime Minister to work together to ensure Kenyans had peace.

He urged Kenyans to pray for peace and displaced people in private. 

“I advise them to go to their shrines, if they have any, and pray for the nation. We don’t want to encourage prayer in public as this can ignite violence,” he said.

Dr Wabukala said religious leaders had “a high calling” and should not allow themselves to be used to serve selfish political interests.

Rekindle violence

Speaking separately, Prof Ongeri cautioned against public utterances that could rekindle violence.

He said although some politicians were against the Ocampo Six being tried at The Hague, they should tread carefully when speaking about the issue in public.

The minister said he was among those who want the suspects tried locally but did not advocate violence.

In a related development, farmers in Central rift region said The Hague issue was creating anxiety.

“We are concerned that this is a recipe for a crisis in the next polls,” said Nakuru county farmers’ representative Edward Mwamba.

“Peace could prevail if Kenyans genuinely reconcile instead of entering political alliances,” he said.

Mr Mwamba said the PNU and ODM rebels alliance could not be “trusted” to sustain as Education minister Sam Ongeri peace in the country “because such people are pursuing their own selfish interests before 2012 elections.”