The public has been treated to extremely provocative statements in the past few weeks at political rallies across the country.
Common decency has been thrown out through the window and raw spite spewed out with amazing abandon.
At the centre is Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr William Ruto on one side and Prime Minister Raila Odinga on the other — the three personalities who have expressed an interest in next year’s presidential elections.
The diatribe raises serious questions about the politicians’ temperament, sobriety and emotional intelligence, and for that matter, their suitability for the presidency only through reason and subtlety.
Second, these rallies have turned into platforms for ethnic mobilisation, reminiscent of the pre-2007 elections scenario.
When politicians abuse, ridicule and provoke others, they sow the seeds of discord that can easily manifest themselves in violence.
Unfortunately, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, which is mandated to curtail hate speech, appears overwhelmed.
At best, chairman Mzalendo Kibunjia has been left to issue empty threats, without any legal action against the suspects.
Politics is a competitive game the world over. But that does not mean that it must be reduced to primitive antics of insults and ethnic mobilising.
For, after a candidate wins, he has to lead the mass that is the Kenyan citizens — not a segment of it.
We demand that action be taken against the offending politicians if they cannot learn to respect themselves.
Citizens should also learn to reject hate-driven politicians, who are likely to cause bloodshed.
Unless checked, these politicians will lead this country to anarchy.
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