Over the last couple of weeks, we have witnessed heightened political activity that you may even thinking that the 2017 election is just around the corner. We are over a year and a half away from the elections but we are already going for each other's throat.
The level of intolerance that is being propelled by some politicians is having a ripple effect on the electorate. Some of the comments that we have heard from some of our politicians are not only wrong but criminal in nature.
This level of intolerance that we are experiencing is primitive and barbaric and must stop. We will be making a mockery of our civilisation and democracy if we continue exhibiting the kind of intolerance that we are seeing.
We all seem not ready to listen to each other even when we are involved in debates of national importance. This actually beats logic behind expanded democratic space and healthy debate to better serve wananchi under the 2010 constitution.
It is especially wrong for those who are not currently holding any office to use their preparations for the next elections as a means to distract those who are in power. I find it extremely disturbing when political opponents of the President or governors spend all their time criticising them.
We know that everyone has a right to express themselves especially on matters that relate to the country or counties. However, when all one does is criticise and make unfounded claims without giving suggestions and solutions, then this is not of any use.
The national and county governments have a duty, legitimately granted to them by the electorate, to deliver services. All Kenyans, despite their political, religious or economic leaning, are looking up to the same aspirations. They want better hospitals, better roads, water, electricity and an economy that helps them drive their lives comfortably.
Kenyans are not ready to engage in political competition at this time and are more interested in seeing that their various aspirations are met. Politicians must therefore stop and think about the immediate needs of Kenyans and focus on that. The 2017 elections are not as important as placing food on the table for many Kenyans.
As we head to the elections, the main political opponents especially at the national level will of course seek to outdo each other in winning support from the electorate. We have already seen that some have already engaged "propaganda gears" that are not helping to unite the country or even endear them to the electorate.
Politicians must desist from operating on propaganda and instead focus on issues. Insults and innuendos must be a thing of the past and should not feature anywhere in our political conversations. As leaders, we need to remember we are role models, opinion makers and opinion shapers.
My major concern is that this intolerance has started showing among the youth especially those on social media networks. This is a dangerous trend given our history of political violence.
We must step back from the brink. The lessons of 2008 are all-too-real to ignore. We know that the country lost not only its citizens but also its image internationally. We lost a lot of business and the economy received a huge blow which slowed our development.
Most of this violence was perpetrated by young people who were used by politicians for their selfish interests. As a result, a lot of those who died in the violence were also young people who were either killed by other young people or the police.
But more critical is that all Kenyans and especially politicians must desist from making statements that only result in incitement and divisions. While, the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, this must be exercised with responsibility to ensure that we do not stir up emotions.
Politicians have a duty to keep the promise of respecting the Constitution and we ask all Kenyans to embrace one another because we all have a right to live together devoid of discrimination.
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We have to be responsible with our utterances whether in public or in other forums and those making such utterances must be warned and if they do not stop, should be dealt with in line with the law.
A confrontational political environment will impact the entire country, visitors, development partners and our neighbors. It will also paint the country in a bad light and affect our standing as we try to woo investors and tourists.
We must call upon all leaders to promote tolerance, peaceful coexistence, diversity and divergent opinions whether we preparing for a referendum or the 2017 elections.