Stop The Rhetoric, Hatred And Violence Ahead Of Polls – Heads of Diplomatic Missions To Kenya

Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Kenya have condemned the continuous, relentless and malicious attack on the judiciary in the lead-up to the repeat presidential election.

It also follows the unverified document circulating on social media to which claims have been made that the judiciary worked with the opposition before nullifying the election.

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16 Heads of Diplomatic Missions, led by U.S. Ambassador Robert Godec, said the documents contain false statements that could endanger lives.

“Kenya has witnessed an upsurge in troubling fake news, hate speech, and ethnic profiling. While we support freedom of speech, baseless attacks and lies must stop,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Godec called on leaders on either side of the political divide to work with each other to ensure hate speech ends as they risk undermining Kenya’s stability.

“They should ensure the safety of those wrongly attacked, including members of our own mission.”

The ambassador added authorities should hold to account those responsible for hate speech and incitement.

“A successful poll will require goodwill and flexibility from leaders and citizens alike. Politics must not be a matter of life or death,” he said.

He went on to urge Kenyans to keep the peace and respect the constitution, its values and the institutions it established.

“As partners, we stand with Kenyans who seek to move the country forward and strengthen democracy.”

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He added that the international community will continue working with the electoral commission as well as the public to ensure the repeat presidential election is free, fair, and credible.

The statement was signed by Stefano Dejak (European Union), Mette Knudsen (Denmark), Frans Makken (Netherlands), and Sara Hradecky (High Commissioner for Canada).

Others are Mauro Massoni (Italy), Fredrik Folkunger (Sweden) and Vincent Willekens (Belgium).