Report implicates Kenyan MPs in hate speech

Written By:Hallyghan Agade/Margaret Kalekye , Posted: Thu, Jul 29, 2010


With 6 days to the referendum, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has launched a Referendum Campaigns Monitoring Report which exposes hate mongers and use of state resources during referendum campaigns.

The report contains the findings of the KNCHR which were compiled during the campaign rallies between the 22nd May and 29th of this month where various politicians have been captured on video fanning hate speech in their campaign rallies.

MPs Bare Duale, Cyrus Jirongo and COTU secretary General Francis Atwoli are among those implicated in hate speech.

Releasing the report, KNCHR Chairperson Florence Jaoko said there was growing tension in various parts of the country in the run to the referendum.

The commission monitored over 80 referendum related events in all the regions countrywide and noted persistent issuance of threats in parts of Rift Valley and Nyanza provinces. The report identifies the most affected areas as Kuria, Molo, Aldai, Tinderet, Muhoroni, North Mugirango (Sotik/Borabu border), Kwanza and Eldoret West.

Jaoko said some residents had abandoned their homes in fear of renewed violence like what was witnessed after the 2007 general election.

Jaoko faulted the police of not taking action despite complaints lodged by residents and the commission.

"In Kuria, direct threats by some civic leaders from members of the Yes campaign have yet to be acted upon despite complaints being lodged at the local police station" said the chair.

She indicted both the Yes and No teams for failing to respect the mandate of the Kenya electoral body, IIEC.

The commission also accused the camps of beginning the campaigns for and against the proposed constitution long before the official period set by the IIEC in the guise of civic education and prayer rallies.

This the commission notes has affected the civic education process and expresses concern that Kenyans would be participating in the referendum without tangible ideas of what they are voting for or against as their choices will be based on misinformation, distortion and ethnic allegiances.

The Commission further revealed that state resources were still being used in Yes campaigns. Ms Jaoko singled out a rally in Nyeri where government vehicles were used to transport supporters of the Yes campaign.

" We have documented evidence and this is not only contrary to the provisions of the public officers and ethics act but serves to give undue advantage to one side of the campaign" she said.

Religious leaders have also not been spared either with the commission condemning persistent attempts to demonize members of certain religious communities saying this will fuel religious intolerance.

The commission took on the government for allowing senior public officers to take part in campaigns to promote its campaign agenda.

Jaoko however observed that public officers should be accorded space to make their decisions free from intimidation and coercion of whatever kind.

Jaoko also expressed concern over conduction of the impending exercise by IIEC saying that a large number of names were missing from voter registers in Bureti and Nyakach among other areas.