in Meru, actors are mobilizing to prevent potential electoral violence

Published on : 30/07/2022 – 23:01

Only ten days before the presidential and legislative elections in Kenya. Various organizations have already underlined their concerns as the vote approaches, in a country where post-election clashes are recurrent. In Meru, in the central region of Mount Kenya, local authorities and civil society are mobilizing for elections without violence.

With our correspondent in Kenya, Albane Thirouard

At the beginning of July, while the campaign is in full swing in Meru, a peace caravan passes through the county. Local authorities and civil society take part in it to dissuade certain behaviors perceived as sources of tension.

« One of the actions is to have the candidates sign a charter in which they commit to free, fair and peaceful elections, and above all to respect the result. Prevention is better than cure », explains Frederick Ndunga, Meru regional councillor.

As with every election, the prospect of violence hangs over the process. in the country. The population remembers in particular the events that followed the 2007 election when more than 1,000 people lost their lives and several thousand were displaced.

throwing stones

At this point, Frederick Ndunga appeals to the responsibility of politicians: “ Some candidates, when they realize that they are not very well perceived, start making derogatory remarks. Words that describe competition as undesirable or worthless. This vocabulary, as we have seen in the past, incites violence. »

Mohamed Salim manages a local association. Several points attract his attention: North of Meru, there was some violence during the party primaries. Politicians here tend to buy booze from groups to wreak havoc on their competitors. Young people especially are paid to cause trouble. All that, we don’t want. »

A few weeks ago, William Ruto’s running mate had to cut short a political rally in Meru because rival groups exchanged stone throwing.