As the August elections approach, concerns about election violence are growing. According to a hot mapping study by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), 16 counties have been identified as possible hotspots.
The study, which will be unveiled next week, has classified six counties as high-risk and 10 others as medium-high risk. The commission had previously mapped out 23 counties as possible hotspots in February.
The high-risk counties are likely to be named at the launch next Tuesday. The commission has expressed concern about the spike in hate speech, propaganda, and political rhetoric in public spaces and social media, which is a key trigger of electoral violence.
NCIC has also issued an alert over the re-emergence of organized criminal gangs blamed on the use of drugs. The report reads, "There is ongoing emergence and re-emergence of organized criminal gangs -especially juvenile groups, as gangs, goons and militia by the political class. The use of drugs and substance abuse is rampant and considered a catalyst of electoral violence."
With only 74 days to the August 9 presidential poll, the commission is hopeful that the emerging conflicts would be addressed. The report on peace and security situation in the country urges, "Kenyans have strong faith in the capacity of state and non-state actors to address emerging conflicts."
NCIC had previously released a list of hate speech words, including Madoadoa, uncircumcised, fumigation, eliminate, kill, kaffir, chunga kura, and others.
