With elections just over a month away, the Kenya Human Rights Commission is calling for a peaceful and rule-based political campaign. Because the possibility of violence around the ballot worries in a country where post-election tensions are recurrent. The population remembers in particular the events that followed the 2007 election when more than 1,000 people were killed.
With our correspondent in Nairobi, Albane Thirouard
The independent public authority has announced that it will deploy 150 field agents to ensure compliance with the law during the campaign and then during the ballot. In a press release, she lists several concerns related to the current electoral context.
First point of concern for the National Commission for Human Rights in Kenya: insecurity in the north of the country and around the Rift Valley, which is reflected in a proliferation of acts of violence. Three people have been killed in particular since February, in connection with the elections according to the independent public authority.
The press release also denounces attempts to intimidate women candidates, whether online or through physical attacks. Certain independent institutions, such as the Electoral Commission (IEBC), are also the target of threats. Something to worry about when in 2017, the IT manager of this institution was assassinated a few days before the ballot.
Finally, several breaches of the electoral code are pointed out. Attempts to influence the vote in particular, through the distribution of goodies, money or food. Or the embezzlement of public resources to campaign, company cars or government funds for example.
This political climate worries the commission. Insecurity is particularly likely to hinder some from campaigning, or even from going to the polls. On Thursday, Raila Odinga’s running mate, Martha Karua, was shot by tear gas during a political rally.
The police are also mobilizing for the elections, reports the Kenyan press. Police officers are no longer allowed to take vacation from July 1 until the election and those on leave must return from July 4.