Kenyans have been urged not to share videos of past post-election violence as this can stir chaos among the communities involved due to the revenge spirit.
National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) chairman Dr. Samuel Kobia said that they have identified some possible situations, which may cause chaos in the nation and these included emergence of videos of the past postelection violence on social media.
He said that these videos can be used to open wounds of the communities involved in the skirmishes during the 2007 and 2017 general elections.
Speaking in Nairobi Tuesday during the Uwiano initiative media briefing on the state of cohesion in the country, Kobia noted that misinformation, disinformation, and increased attacks among the supporters of different political parties may increase tension in the country.
The chairman revealed that Kenyans are really going through hard times, brought about by the rise of price of basic commodities, occasioned by the war in Ukraine as well as the Covid-19 pandemic, adding that if violence erupts during the forthcoming elections, Kenyans will be already a tired lot and that will affect them severely.
Police Spokesperson Bruno Shioso said that they are working with other organizations in efforts to prevent violence with one of the measures being the launch of the national peace and mediation team to consolidate various efforts in Kenya.
He also said that they have conducted national political decency forums and interdenominational prayers held on 9th July 2022.
“Through the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), we conducted the National Elections conference that provided a platform for Kenyans both online and offline to engage the commission on matters of election preparedness,” said Shioso.
Register of Political Parties Ann Nderitu said that some of the reviews taken by her office towards peaceful 2022 general elections include development and launch of political parties source book.
“The source book covers diverse topics relating to legal framework and general landscape of political and electoral processes,” she said.
She highlighted that the other reviews by her office include the peace fora and media engagements and review of political parties agent training manual.
“Through the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK), the platform has set up women situation rooms in Nairobi and Isiolo counties to ensure the safety of women and girls as they participate in the 2022 elections. Women gender monitors in 11 priority counties have been sensitized and trained on reporting and addressing Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) cases in the counties,” said Nderitu.