Again, as before the authorities and ruling regime in Kenya are ready to spread fear in the two months ahead of the polls on 8th August 2017. Clearly, the Jubilee administration and their caretakers are afraid of the public will or their own justice. Since they have to go out from both the National Police Service and from the Communication Authority. Seemingly, this instead of talking with the people and engaging them in their communities. That they are both saying the citizens are the reason for causing violence and chaos, also their acts on social media. Surely, this shows how little tolerance it is for the ones outside the parameter of the government. Both Boinett and Daima doesn’t trust their own citizens, which they are supposed to represent. Just take a look!
The Police Warning the Public:
“Inspector-General Joseph Boinnet on Monday said police would have to use “slightly more force than that used by violence perpetrators” if chaos breaks out.“If violence occurs, then we have to stop it and it means we will use slightly more force than that used by those causing violence,” he told a meeting on election preparedness at a Nairobi hotel” (Misiko & Moseti, 2017).
Social Media Warning:
“CA has called on Kenyans not to misuse the internet and social media especially during this campaign period. While addressing the media after KEPSA- Mkenya Daima morning meeting, CA chair said CA would not shutdown the internet on 8/8 unless Kenyans pushed them to do so” (Nation.co.ke, 2017).
We can see that the state and the authorities doesn’t respect their citizens with this sort of acts. It is already proven, that the Kenyan government have bought more Anti-Riot Gear ahead of the polls for possible demonstrations against the post-election. It seems like the Jubilee government fears the public and the citizens. Since they have to go with stern warnings and intimidation, instead of trying to up-ease the public in the days ahead of the polls.
If they didn’t fear and didn’t distrust the public, they wouldn’t have released these statements and warnings. Instead of trying ease the public and saying we will be there for you. They say we come with stronger force and we might shut-down the internet. Seems, like the President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto have learned from the General Election in 2016. Where both things happen and the Police together with the army was all-out during the days of the election. Even the VPN s came up so people could use social-media and be online. So the Kenyans should download VPN now and be prepared in-case of the actions of the CA.
But we have seen how the police acted towards the Anti-IEBC demonstrations that the CORD coalition was involved in during the 2016. The police brutality was vicious and harsh. There was no mercy to the citizens fearing the problems and loopholes that the Electoral Body had. Also, after the famous Chickengate. Therefore, when it is so soon the polls of the General Elections in Kenya. This sort of words and warnings isn’t creating a better environment, but they are showing arrogance and fear for uprisings. They have no problem silencing the voices of the people. They are not trusting them and therefore sending warnings.
It is time for one thing, that the authorities engage the public and put some trust in them. Since the authorities are serving them and are there for them. They are not their for the President, but for all the people in the Republic. Peace.
Reference:
Misiko, Harry & Moseti, Brian – ‘Police issue chilling warning on poll chaos’ (17.07.2017) link: http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Joseph-Boinnet-issues-chilling-warning-to-violence-perpetrators/1056-4018244-14icqavz/index.html
Nation.co.ke – ‘Use social media responsibly or we will shut the internet down – Communications Authority of Kenya’ (17.07.2017) link: http://www.nation.co.ke/video/1951480-4018236-ai5hxh/index.html
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