Panic and tension after circulation of threatening leaflets during release of presidential results

dennis kibet

October 30, 2017 9:01 AM

The leaflets warned members of one community to leave for participating in the repeat presidential election.

Tension has gripped parts of Western region following the wide circulation of hate leaflets as results of the repeat October 26 presidential election were released.

Police have began investigations and stepped up the hunt for the suspects responsible for circulating the leaflets in Lugari Constituency, Kakamega County.

The leaflets threatened one of the communities living in the area to leave because of participating in the repeat presidential election.

The leaflets were circulated in Mwamba, Mautuma, Lumakanda, Lugari and Kipkaren market centres, which are largely inhabited by members of several communities.

The area MP Ayub Savula condemned the circulation of the leaflets asking members of the targeted community not to flee as they would ensure that they would be protected.

“From the way the leaflets are printed, it appears they were done by some people with money and with the intention of causing ethnic chaos in the region. But I, as the area MP, will not accept that,” Savula told the Star.

The MP has informed the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet and asked him to ensure that those involved in circulation the hate leaflets are arrested and taken to court.

“Personally, I went to school with members of the Kikuyu community, many of whom were born and brought in Lugari. I will not accept anyone to take advantage of politics to cause political animosity between our people,” he said.

Last week, similar leaflets were circulated in neighbouring Bungoma County.

The leaflets were circulated in the county’s major towns of Webuye, Bungoma, Kimilili and Chwele.

MPs Dan Wanyama (Webuye), John Waluke (Sirisia) and Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon) told residents measures have been put in place to guarantee their security.

dennis kibet