Human rights activists in Uasin Gishu have called on the security apparatus in the county to heighten their surveillance following concerns over recent incidences of political intolerance.
Kimutai Kirui of the Eldoret-based Centre Against Torture notes that there is an emerging worrying trend of politicians paying goons to attack their opponents.
The recent incident, Kirui notes, is an attack on a vehicle attached to the Uasin Gishu independent gubernatorial candidate Bundotich Zedekiah Kiprop Buzeki.
In an interview with uasingishunews.co.ke on Friday, July 29, 2022, the human rights activist said already multiple culprits have been presented in court over political-related attacks.
“We commend the police, especially DCI for their swift and effective response towards political intolerance and violence. We already have several people in court,” said Kimutai Kirui.
Police had earlier this week said that they had arrested two people linked to the attack on Buzeki’s campaign vehicle.
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Uasin Gishu Deputy County Police Commander Zacchaeus Ng’eno said the two were helping the police with investigations into the incident that saw the vehicle’s windscreen shattered and the driver injured.
But even as the police continue investigating the matter, Kirui is asking them to intensify their surveillance.
“For any kind of threat, police must ensure the culprits are arrested,” he said.
Further, the Centre Against Torture activist expressed concerns over increasing cases of politicians buying alcohol to the youth – with the intention of using them to cause violence.
Are police up to the task?
While recording a statement at the Central Police Station over his vehicle stoning incidence, Buzeki claimed the attack was well coordinated.
He challenged the police to up their game and ensure individuals he described as goons are dealt with accordingly.
“Some of these people we know them. They have been going around bragging about how they have a protective layer of police officers,” Buzeki told Journalists at the Eldoret Central Police Station.
But asked over the matter, the Uasin Gishu Uasin Gishu Deputy County Police Commander affirmed that the police have been, and remain non-partisan in executing their mandate.
“We are on top of our game. There is no cause of worry for the locals,” Ng’eno said when he spoke to Journalists outside the Silver Line Hotel, the scene of the attack on Buzeki’s campaign vehicle.
And with the police assurance, Kimutai Kirui is challenging politicians to reign in on their supporters as the campaign trail enters the home stretch.
