Nandi leaders condemn hooligans behind URP Kapsabet rally chaos

Leaders have condemned the violence that marred Monday's United Republican Party (URP) rally in Kapsabet.

Led by Aldai MP Cornelly Serem and the Nandi Council of Elders (Nandi Kaburwo), the leaders condemned the incident in which several people, including the governor's chief of staff Timon Koskei, were injured.

Mr Koskei, who sustained head injuries, was airlifted to Nairobi Hospital where he is receiving treatment.

He was accosted by anti-referendum youths about 200 metres from the URP meeting venue as he led a pro-referendum group.

An aide to the county's Tourism executive committee member was also injured and is currently admitted in Nandi Hills District Hospital.

Mr Serem blamed the governor's office for perpetuating hooliganism.

"While we condemn all acts of violence and hooliganism, it is unfortunate that officials in the office of the governor were fronting this mission to disrupt a peaceful rally. We all have meetings and our supporters have never interfered with the governors' meetings. Why are his supporters behaving in this manner?" posed the MP.

DIFFERENT OPINION

The MP and the Council of Elders chairman Benjamin Kitur also accused officials in the governor's office of being intolerant of different views and opinions.

"Why are officials in the governor's office being intolerant of people with views or opinions different from their own? Some of them are civil servants who must serve all individuals equally," Serem said.

"We call on our youths to resist individuals out to manipulate them. We call on them to be tolerant of individuals and establishments with different opinions," said Mr Kitur.

The elders council chairman advocated for dialogue to solve pertinent referendum-oriented issues that they said were causing friction between the leaders and the electorate.

Meanwhile, police have begun investigations that could lead to the arrest of people involved in the scuffles.

LEGAL OFFICE

"We are in consultation with the county government's legal office. We are trying to find out the root cause of the violence and to determine if individuals who caused the injuries can be identified and apprehended," said Samson Thoya, the Nandi Central District Criminal Investigations officer.

On Sunday, a pro-referendum crowd disrupted a meeting organised by people who are against the referendum in Kabiyet, Mosop constituency.

In late March, another group disrupted a demonstration by civil groups in Nandi, where several civilians were injured.