Political parties reject NCIC peace charter, say they were not consulted

Political parties have declined to sign a new charter with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) aimed at curbing political incitement and violence witnessed in different parts of the country.

The parties cited lack of involvement in the charter's formulation, the absence of major political parties from the meeting, and what they described as failure to take action against leaders linked to political violence.

A two-day retreat by the NCIC to develop a peace charter on curbing political violence and the use of goons has hit a snag.

The deadlock came after political parties rejected the new Political Decency, Peace and Accountability Charter, which seeks to hold parties accountable for the actions of their members, including those linked to acts of violence.

The parties said they were not involved in formulating the charter, while the public was also left out of the process.

“Tuemeletwa kusign charter bila muda wa kutosha. Tuliiona jana na tumeharakishwa kutia saini. Kama vyama vya kisiasa na tume ilipoingia, haina nguvu ya kisheria, haina usaidizi wowote kwa nchi yetu. Tumeikataa iende iangaliwe. Hatujawahi iona hii charter,” RLP chairman David Momanyi Mose stated.

The absence of major political parties, some of which have been linked to the violence, further angered the parties, who accused the NCIC of turning a blind eye to the situation.

“Parties have been reluctant to sign the charter because the major political parties causing this violence did not attend. Why did they not attend? UDA, surely,” DNA secretary Barack Muluka stated.

Mose also questioned why leaders accused of making inflammatory remarks had not been arrested, citing recent incidents in Homabay.

“Kuna katibu aliongea vibaya juzi, hajashikwa. Ata Homa Bay tuliona chenye ilifanyika na serikali haijafanya chochote. Sasa wanalaumu vyama. Ni chama gani imesababisha machafuko? Ni wanasiasa. Watu wanauana na NCIC imenyamaza tu. Tumeweka watu kwa kazi, wakishindwa wanalaumu vyama,” Mose stated.

The parties have also set a condition for signing the charter, demanding that the IEBC commit to delivering a free and fair election.

They further want the NCIC and the police to demonstrate that they will take action against those who break the law.

“IEBC should be here to commit that they will deliver a free and fair election. They are not here. IEBC should begin showing it can deliver the same to NCIC and police. Peace can’t be for us to be quiet, to allow those in government to have peace and quietness to keep looting,” Muluka stated.

The NCIC has now put off the signing and said it will engage all party officials before convening another forum.

“We will talk to all party principals and officials and convene another forum where we will now officially sign the peace charter before we move to the grassroots,” NCIC chairman Kepha Omae stated.

The commission says the charter will be signed within a week before the campaign moves to the grassroots.