The National Police Service (NPS) has cautioned parents across Kenya against allowing children in political rallies and gatherings.
The Inspector Hilary Mutyambai-led agency issued the warning through a social media post published on Tuesday, 14 June, in which they declared such environments unsafe for young ones.
“Rallies are emotive and risky spaces,” the tweet read in part.
Political rallies NOT safe for kids! It’s putting little ones in harms way. Rallies are emotive, and risky spaces as such. pic.twitter.com/5jcD7EeAfv
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) June 14, 2022
The warning comes at a time when the nation is headed towards heightened political temperatures ahead of the hotly contested August 9th general election.
With polls less than two months away, there is heavy intolerance among politicians.
Just this past Sunday, chaos ensued as Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga was forced to cut short his speech in Athi River after a fight broke out at his VIP dais.
Odinga, who was on a tour of the Ukambani region, witnessed the ugly faction wars between his supporters in Machakos County.
Trouble started when Azimio Chief Minister nominee Kalonzo Musyoka asked Chama Cha Uzalendo party leader Nzioka Waita to shelve his gubernatorial ambitions in favour of Wiper’s Wavinya Ndeti.
Waita’s supporters were not happy about the remarks given that the former State House Chief of Staff had stuck with Raila even after the fallout with Kalonzo.
When the former Prime Minister rose to address the crowd, he referenced Kalonzo’s request but did not give a conclusive directive – only promising that a deal would be struck.
Odinga’s speech was followed by a commotion on the VIP podium where two gentlemen were seen exchanging blows.
