Leaders call for calm after Metito’s claims angered Kajiado locals
A claim of violence should Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku not be reelected has sparked a bitter exchange of words between leaders in the county.
Kajiado South MP Katoo ole Metito was at the weekend booed after he claimed Lenku had vowed to cause chaos if he is not re-elected as governor.
Metito, who was accompanied by a host of Tanga Tanga affiliated leaders at Olchoro Onyori in Kajiado West, claimed Lenku was not prepared to accept defeat.
“Just the other day he said his reelection as governor in 2022 is a must and if not, there will be chaos,” claimed Katoo whose utterances were cut short by a rowdy crowd who booed him chanting slogans that he was lying.
Angry residents and leaders condemned the utterances saying it is bordering on incitement and hate speech.
Former Nairobi Speaker Alex ole Magelo now wants the National Cohesion and Integration Commission to crack the whip on politicians making utterances that could promote hatred.
“The commission is sleeping on the job. Why are we seeing a lot of verbal diarrhea by politicians who are promoting disunity of the country?
Some politicians are growing horns and using abusive and divisive language at the expense of national cohesion.
It is time that politicians are tamed from promoting animosity among Kenyans by taking action against them,” says Magelo.
Former Kajiado Senator Peter Mositet described Metito’s utterances as unfortunate, saying every politician has a right to woe voters for any position but not turn to incitement.
“Elections come and go, leadership regimes change and will keep changing over time and every leader should put in mind that Kenya is greater than an individual.
“Kenyans should be wise enough not to allow selfish politicians to divide them lending to political violence.
When there is political unrest and chaos, it affects the ordinary Kenyans and not those inciting politicians who are the root cause,” says Mositet.
Governor Lenku and Katoo hail from Loitoktok in Kajiado South and their newly political differences have split residents.
“It is so sad that while Kajiado is known for peaceful campaigns and elections, an elected leader makes such remarks,” said Waisha Nguru.
On his part, Lenku distanced himself from any talk of chaos.
“Kajiado is known for peace even when other counties experience tension.
We are going to protect peace and harmony among all communities and no politics will divide us,” said Lenku.
