CIPK wants govt to tame hate speech ahead of election
By KBC Reporter
The Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) wants the government to tame hate speech ahead of the August General Election.
The religious body says hate speech perpetuated by politicians should not be tolerated at a time the country is gearing up for the forthcoming polls to avert bloodshed.
CIPK Organizing Secretary Sheikh Mohamed Khalifa told a press conference in Mombasa that relevant government institutions must act tough against politicians spewing hate speech at political rallies.
He regretted that rogue politicians use public forums to pass messages of hatred and bigotry.
The cleric urged authorities to act fast against all incidents of incitement and hate speech regardless of social status and political affiliation of the perpetrators.
Elsewhere, ODM leader Raila Odinga says the party will lower the party nomination fee for women, marginalized and disadvantaged groups. Odinga says the decision to lower nomination fee is to encourage more women to vie for various positions in the forthcoming elections.
He said the party supports the two thirds gender principle and would like to contribute to the realization of the constitutional requirement.
The former Prime Minister is currently meeting ODM women aspirants at the Multimedia University where he has also reiterated the party’s commitment to ensuring nominations are done in a free and fair way.
The party he also said has decided to devolve the national elections board services to ensure efficiency.
