National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) chairperson Francis ole Kaparo has condemned the violent political scenes witnessed in the recent past in Migori, Busia and Mathare.
The incidences involving Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) politicians Senator Elizabeth Ongoro, Busia County governor Sospeter Ojaamong, Funyula Member of Parliament Paul Otuoma, Siaya senator James Orengo and his Kisumu counterpart Anyang Nyong’o have led to death and several injuries.
The former national assembly speaker was speaking during the launch of the tenth edition of the annual Marsabit-Lake Turkana Cultural Festival and Half Marathon, whose theme is ‘celebrating social cohesion through cultural diversity’.
In a rejoinder, Kaparo lauded the party for taking disciplinary action on the said politicians where they were summoned by the discipline committee on Monday and tasked with giving an account of the chaos that ensued in their respective political rallies.
“I am happy ODM took action on the said members who want to disrupt the peace the country is experiencing even as the national election nears,” Kaparo intimated, challenging other political parties to follow suit if and when such cases occur.
He further urged the registrar of political parties to take disciplinary action on both the individual and political parties who seem to perpetrate hate and violence in their rallies or elsewhere opining that such actions will serve to warn their counterparts.
“I have been to Marsabit and the peace that is prevailing post this event’s inception is what we want. The area is no longer volatile and it is ripe for business and development,” Kaparo, having led the Marsabit-Mandera Counties Peace Processes, offered and further urged politicians to engage in issue based politics as opposed to the exchange of words beibg witnessed across the political divide.
Reiterating Kaparo’s sentiments, retired politician Elisha Godana challenged politicians to maintain the peace that was amongst politicians and Kenyans at large in the 1960’s and 70’s when he served as an MP.
