The NCIC has expressed alarm that civil conflict may break out if leading politicians fail to resolve the current political impasse.
Chairman Francis ole Kaparo yesterday said a repeat of the poll clashes experienced in the country 10 years ago cannot be ruled out after next Thursday’s election.
He described the current political situation as “irresponsible, unfortunate and untenable”.
“The current political climate strikingly resembles the period prior to 2007-08 post-election violence. Allowed to take root, the current political dynamics will catastrophically roll back the gains we have made as a nation to build a cohesive, peaceful and prosperous country,” Kaparo said.
He told President Uhuru Kenyatta and NASA leader Raila Odinga to dialogue as the political polarisation and the competitive nature of electoral politics is deeply dividing the nation.
Kaparo urged the government and the opposition to act with openness, sobriety and tolerance in addressing the source of the current tension.
He said Kenyans have had enough traumatising situations and it makes no sense for politicians to push the nation through another cycle of civil strife.
“But it seems like the politicians have quickly forgotten the carnage, suffering, pain and agony that Kenyans went through,” Kaparo said.
He said tension is high in some parts of the country, setting Kenyans into a constant fear mode.
Kaparo said the anxiety has crippled the economy.
“We are concerned with the deepening sense of anxiety, mistrust and ethnic and political intolerance. Let’s realise the age of solving differences whether political or social through brutal bloodletting is long gone,” he said.
Kaparo also urged the IEBC to put its house in order as Kenyans prepare to head to the polls next week.
The commission, he said, must recognise there is a direct correlation between their ability to conduct a free, fair and credible elections and peace and stability.
“The decisions taken by the IEBC have a direct impact on shaping the future of the country. I also urge all the stakeholders to give the IEBC the necessary support,” Kaparo said.
He also condemned increasing level of ethnic and political polarisation, loss of human lives, intolerance, hooliganism and wanton destruction of property during the anti-IEBC demonstrations.
Kaparo urged the government to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for vandalism and looting.
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