NCIC Ranks Kisumu, Nairobi, Nakuru As Potential Hotspot For Election Violence

According to a report released on Tuesday by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), six counties in Kenya are likely to witness some level of election violence.

The NCIC announced during a press conference on Tuesday that Kenya’s national electoral violence index for 2022 is 53.43 percent, with 31 counties expected to hold calm elections.

The briefing was based on commission research that sought real-time status reports. They are conflict backgrounds and environmental status from all 47 counties in Kenya.

Based on a range of circumstances, including ethnic disparity, and struggle over finite resources. In the presence of organized criminal gangs, the panel identified six areas where poll violence is likely to occur.

Nakuru, Nairobi, Uasin Gishu, Mombasa, and Kericho are among the six counties, the majority of which are located in the Rift Valley and Nyanza.

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Narok Marsabit, Laikipia, Lamu, Baring, Isiolo, Meru, Nandi, Samburu, and Bomet are among the counties listed as a medium-high risk in the same assessment.

Embu is the county with the lowest risk of election-related violence.

The largest cause of electoral violence, according to the commission’s investigation, which was performed between January and April, is a lack of faith in the bodies responsible for conducting trustworthy polls.

The NCIC suggests multi-sectoral collaboration among agencies, democracy protection, inclusion and transparency, and sensitive reporting as ways to reduce violence.

Hate speech, party primaries, unwillingness to accept poll results that contradict opinion polls, and harassment of poll workers have all been highlighted as potential electoral violence triggers.

Other authorities present at the conference committed to ensuring that the August polls are credible and peaceful.

The DCI collaborates with the NCIC and has a staff in place to support the commission, according to John Gachomo, the DCI’s head of investigations.

Meanwhile, Anne Nderitu, the Registrar of Political Parties, underlined the importance of peaceful elections. She added that the ORPP is very severe about enforcing the code of conduct for political parties.

“Leaders of political parties must take charge of their supporters,” Ms. Nderitu added, noting that the office now has 350 monitors spread around the country.

The EACC further claimed that it will ensure that public funds are used for their intended objectives and that it will tell the electorate about the leaders’ honesty.