Government urged to ensure violence-free polls

Written By:Winnie Kiziah,    Posted: Fri, Feb 08, 2013

Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch says the government has failed to address the root causes of electoral disparities The government has been challenged to take urgent steps, including the arrest and fair trial of all those who directly incite or organize violence as the country prepares for the forthcoming polls. With just 23 days left before the general elections, the government has come under sharp criticism from the Human Rights Watch group through a report that presents the dangers of violence due to alleged government failures to carry out requisite reforms. Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch says though the government has made attempts to address human rights violations, it has failed to address the root causes of electoral disparities. The report which is based on interviews with more than 225 people around the country with a focus on Kenya's Central, Coast, Eastern, North Eastern, Nyanza, and Rift Valley regions indicates that the dynamics and risks in each of these regions differ, but there is a common ground on underlying issues that Kenyans expect the government the justice system, and other authorities to address.