Kenyan Politicians Must Avoid ‘Hate and Dangerous Speech’ – CDD

A civil society oganisation, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), has slammed the use of fiery language by Kenyan politicians particularly after the Supreme Court judgement of 1 September 2017 which annulled the result of the recent presidential election.CDD also called on the country’s politicians to avoid ‘hate and dangerous speech.’

According to a CDD statement signe by its Director, Idayat Hassan,”The Supreme Court decision on the results of the presidentialelection, which saw the people of Kenya voting in their fifth presidentialelection since the end of the one-party state in 1991, is a watershed in the history of elections in Kenya and Africa at large and worth emulating by all countries committed to deepening electoral process anddemocratic governance in the continent.
“Since the annulment of the presidential election results by the ChiefJustice David Maraga-led judicial team on 1st September 2017, we have observed a series of fiery speeches by group of politicians, especially the incumbent president, Uhuru Kenyatta, against the judiciary. While we commend Mr Uhuru’s call on loyalists and supporters of Jubilee Alliance Party to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner in the wake of theSupreme Court judgement, we absolutely condemn his unwarranted attacks against the judges; referring to them as Wakora (meaning“crooks/thugs” in Swahili). This is entirely unacceptable, especiallycoming from a presidential candidate of a respected nation like Kenya.
” The judiciary has an important role to play in protecting the sanctity ofdemocracy; its core principles and fundamentals. Effective performanceof this responsible predicates on its independence from the executiveand the uprightness of the occupants of the office. This judgement isapparently unprecedented in Africa and is a beacon of hope for the continent on the role of the judiciary in reclaiming the people’s stolenmandate.
“This exceptional decision should be applauded and taken as astep towards rebuilding failing institutions for better democraticoutcomes. We stand by the judgement of the Supreme Court and implore all concerned parties including the candidates, the electoralbody, security institutions, citizens and other stakeholders to respect theinstitution and independence of the judiciary and work towards peacefulfresh election on 7 October 2017.
The statement added that “What is also worrying for us is that politicians are over heating the political system with the recent condemnations. A lawmaker was quoted as referring to the head of the opposition, Raila Odinga, as ‘a demon…[who] needs to be whipped by a man and whipped by a woman…’ Moreso, according to a news report, the opposition leader also called the President a drunk. Such unacceptable language may heavily deepen ethnic divides that have characterised elections in Kenya and, if politicians continue to (toe) this line, it may be counter-productive to conduct of peaceful fresh election. Hate and dangerous speech must be avoided in the build-up to the election.
“More so, the ability of IEBC to learn from experience of earlier conductedpresidential elections and put in place corrective measures ahead of thefresh election would go a long way in building trust of different parties inthe electoral process. NASA and Jubilee Alliance Party have raised several concerns about preparedness of the electoral umpire for thefresh election.
CDD also noted that “Recently, the media is replete with reports on internal squabbles among IEBC Commissioners. In a confidential internal memo allegedly written by IEBC Chairman, Mr Wafula Chebukati, to CS/CEOEzra Chiloba demanding answers to why some forms printed by AlGhurair had no security features, among other, has generated concerns to institute necessary measures for a free, fair and transparent poll ahead of the fresh election.
“While we applaud efforts by IEBC to strengthen the process such as the decision to include members of the two political parties in its IT team, it isimportant that it does more to ensure that adequate measures are put inplace to address and avoid the alleged irregularities and malpractices emerging from the last election. The members of the electoral body who allegedly perpetuate irregularities and illegalities in the transmission ofthe election results should be thoroughly investigated and, if found wanting, held accountable for such acts and abuse of trust.
“We also callon the electoral body to adhere strictly to the letters of the law in theconduct of the election. We also call on people of Kenya, regardless of who they support, to harness the opportunities the recent happenings created; particularly the supreme court ruling on the last presidential election, to further support the consolidation and sustainability of democracy in Kenya. They shouldcontinue to shun acts of violence and strongly exercise their civicresponsibility by voting for the candidate of their choice on 17 October 2017,” CDD said.