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Ban ethnic campaigns, team urged

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Published on Monday, 14 July 2008 22:16

Politicians should be stopped from rallying ethnic support during election campaigns, the Kriegler Commission heard in Kisii.

At a public hearing at the Gusii County Hall, the commission was told that tribal campaigns should be criminalised to avoid a repeat of chaos that characterised last year’s General Election.

A former nominated MP, Catherine Nyamato, said a code of conduct for elections was necessary to stem hate speech and check on pledges made to the electorate by candidates.

"Some candidates make wild and unrealistic promises to the electorate, especially the youth," Nyamato said yesterday.

She also said the appointment of Electoral Commission of Kenya commissioners should be more transparent and inclusive.

At the same time, participants at the forum expressed concerns over the security of the ECK’s Form 16A saying it was open to manipulation.

They said the electoral body should develop specimen signatures for counter-checking.

Mr Wilfred Osoro, a youth representative, said vernacular radio stations were responsible for incitement through hate speech.

Ms Hellen Ondieki, a civic leader, said Kenyans needed to know what took place during elections, failure to which peace could be jeopardised.

"The coalition Government is built on wax that can melt any time," she said.

A Kitutu-Chache Councillor, Mr Joseph Ongera, suggested that certificates of exemplary service issued to ECK officials for conducting the 2007 General Election be withdrawn.

He said ECK did disservice to the nation.