Presidential aspirant Eliud Owalo has condemned the rising political violence and intolerance in the country, calling for the protection of constitutional rights ahead of the 2027 General Election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Owalo said violence witnessed during the recent Ol Kalou by-election, together with reported attacks involving opposition and political actors in Homa Bay County, was a reminder of the need to reject political intimidation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPolitics must be a contest of ideas, policies and leadership not a contest of violence,\u201d he said in a statement on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He criticised the use of young people in political violence, saying they were at times recruited and paid by political actors to attack fellow citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur youth should never be reduced to instruments of political violence or hired muscle for political interests,\u201d Owalo said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The former ICT Cabinet Secretary said young people should instead be supported to create businesses, jobs and take part in democratic debate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Owalo also cited Articles 37, 38 and 39 of the Constitution, which provide for the rights to peaceful assembly and political participation, as well as freedom of movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said no Kenyan should be stopped from attending a peaceful political meeting because of their political affiliation, ethnic identity, county of origin or preferred candidate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHoma Bay is Kenya. Ol Kalou is Kenya. Nairobi is Kenya. Every part of Kenya belongs equally to every Kenyan,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Owalo called on the National Police Service and investigative and prosecutorial agencies to investigate reported cases of political violence and ensure those responsible face justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said accountability should apply regardless of the political affiliations of those involved, including people who organise, finance, transport, arm or incite participants in political violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The presidential hopeful also urged political leaders, parties and their supporters to exercise restraint and avoid provocation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe 2027 General Election must be a contest in which every Kenyan is free to listen to competing political visions, attend political meetings, campaign for a candidate of their choice and cast their vote without fear,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Owalo said Kenya’s political future should be defined by peaceful competition and changes of government through elections rather than intimidation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Kenya is bigger than any political party, candidate or election,\u201d he said. Further, Owalo urged Kenyans across the political divide to reject violence and defend the right to participate freely in the democratic process.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Presidential aspirant Eliud Owalo has condemned the rising political violence and intolerance in the country, calling for the protection of constitutional rights ahead of the 2027 General Election. Owalo said violence witnessed during the recent Ol Kalou by-election, together with reported attacks involving opposition and political actors in Homa Bay County, was a reminder of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":26066,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[69,29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26065","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-politics"],"yoast_head":"\n