Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu during a previous event /ALICE WAITHERAMt Kenya leaders have called for political tolerance, warning against violence and intimidation as rival camps intensify campaigns.
The leaders said political differences should be settled through ideas and the ballot, rather than confrontations that threaten peace and livelihoods.
Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu urged supporters of competing political factions to respect one another, saying Kenyans should be free to back either a one-term or two-term presidency without being subjected to hostility.
He said regardless of who wins the 2027 elections, Kenyans would still have to return to their homes, businesses and workplaces, and live together.
“The person who says one term or two terms should be respected because they all have their reasons,” Irungu said in Nanyuki.
He cautioned residents against allowing political debates to disrupt businesses and social relations, arguing that disagreements over the country's political leadership should not become a source of conflict.
The county chief said Kenyans would vote, leaders would assume various elective offices and life would continue after the results were announced.
The leaders' remarks came as political activity gathers pace in Mt Kenya, with rival groups advancing competing positions on President William Ruto's re-election bid and the region's political direction.
Last Saturday, political violence erupted during a UDA grassroots leaders' meeting at Nembure grounds in Embu county.
The incident, which occurred during a meeting attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, descended into chaos as youths clashed with police, resulting in vehicles being torched and others vandalised.
One person was killed in the violence, while several vehicles—including one belonging to a journalist covering the meeting—were razed, raising serious concerns over the safety of media workers during political events.
Two people have since been arrested, with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) pledging to pursue those found to have attacked others, torched vehicles, destroyed property, barricaded public roads or assaulted police officers.
Former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Wangui Ngirici separately condemned the violence, warning that political competition should not be allowed to degenerate into chaos or be used to settle political scores.
She urged political actors to give one another space to present their ideas and manifestos, saying voters should ultimately determine who wins elections.
“Each political actor should be given an opportunity to sell their ideas and manifesto to the people without being interrupted. The people will have the ultimate say in who will be elected,” Ngirici said in Ndia.
She also appealed to young people to resist attempts by politicians to recruit them into violent activities, urging them to protect their future rather than allow themselves to be used in political conflicts.
State House head of special projects and programmes Dennis Itumbi condemned the Embu violence, saying political competition was inevitable but should not result in physical confrontations, destruction of property or loss of life.
He urged leaders to draw a clear line between political rivalry and violence, urging them to allow competing ideas to be tested before voters.
“We must draw a line in the sand. It is okay for people to differ. You can be for two terms or one term. It is okay to differ. What is not okay is to fight over that difference. Without competition, there is no politics,” Itumbi said.
He particularly condemned the burning of a journalist's vehicle during the Embu chaos, saying the destruction affected the reporter's livelihood and should not be tolerated.
