Migori: The Luo Council of Elders in Migori has urged Kenyans, particularly the youth, to reject activities that could incite violence ahead of next year’s General Election. Chairman of the Suba Council of Elders, Riogi Riogi, called on communities to resist political attempts to turn them against one another, warning that such actions could undermine peace and national security.
According to Kenya News Agency, addressing the press in Migori town, Riogi emphasized that Kenyans should not be lured into community or inter-clan conflicts over land boundaries or other disputes. He referenced the 1994 Rwanda Genocide and the 2007/2008 post-election violence in Kenya as painful reminders of the consequences of political incitement. Riogi urged Kenyans to learn from these tragedies and work towards maintaining peace before, during, and after next year’s elections.
The elder expressed concern over the use of young people to cause violence at political rallies organized by opposing factions, stating that such acts undermined the freedoms guaranteed by the 2010 Constitution. He highlighted the dangers of politicians issuing warnings to opponents not to hold rallies in areas considered political strongholds. Riogi urged the government to take firm action against politicians making inflammatory remarks, warning that failure to address incitement early could escalate tensions beyond control.
Riogi also called on political leaders to embrace reconciliation, promoting peaceful coexistence for national development. He emphasized that Kenyans needed to strengthen the spirit of reconciliation, ensuring communities live together peacefully despite political differences and disputes over land. He maintained that all Kenyan communities were equal, with citizens having the right to live and work anywhere in the country, regardless of political affiliations.
Furthermore, Riogi urged the government to make national unity a central theme of the election campaign, as rising political and community tensions threaten national security efforts. He expressed optimism that Kenya would avoid a repeat of the 2007/2008 post-election violence, which claimed more than 1,000 lives and displaced nearly 400,000 people from their homes.
