Politicians must tread carefully to avoid repeat of post-poll chaos

The Pan African Forum Chairman Dr. David Matsanga is cautioning Kenyan politicians against perpetrating divisions in the country through reckless utterances ahead of August General Elections.

Dr. Matsanga who was an active participant on the Kenyan cases at the International Criminal Court  (ICC) after the 2007/2008 post election violence noted that local politicians risk getting indicted at the Hague-based court should they continue inciting members of the public during their campaigns.

“I was in The Hague in 2007 and really I struggled defending Kenyans who had been accused at the ICC. I may not subscribe to ICC decisions but that doesn’t mean Kenyan politicians should spew venom in their campaigns. It is not a matter of life and death. Leading politicians and their cronies should weigh their words on the podium rather than getting excited with the microphone.”

“Kenya needs a Redemption Strategy because the direction we have taken is not good. This time round Karim Khan would not say it was spontaneous,” said Matsanga

On Sunday, January 9, Meru Senator Mithika Linturi, was arrested by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and taken in for questioning over remarks he made during a rally organized by Deputy President William Ruto in Eldoret.

Kenyan authorities are also investigating other politicians including Kitutu Chache MP Richard Onyonka, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot and a Kenyan identified  as Abubakar Amana  from Lamu over possible hate speech.

Use of words such as ‘madoadoa’ according to Matsanga will only open up wounds from the past, and must never be entertained especially coming from persons entrusted with leadership positions.

Matsanga, a conflict resolution expert, says the surprise surrender of Kenyan lawyer Paul Gicheru to the International Criminal Court in 2020 is a clear indication that the Hague-based Court is still actively following events in the country and would easily initiate proceedings against anyone perceived to be stocking ethnic animosity.

Gicheru is at the ICC facing charges of interference with witnesses in the Kenyan cases through bribery and intimidation. Prior to his surrender, an arrest warrant had been hanging over his head since 2015.

This trend according to Matsanga, should serve as a lesson and is what Kenyan politicians ought to closely observe if they don’t want to find themselves in trouble with ICC.

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