Kenyan presidential candidates pledge to uphold peace during election campaign

July 10 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The main contenders in Kenya’s presidential elections, which will take place on August 9, have pledged to ask their supporters to refrain from resorting to violence during the electoral campaign that will culminate in elections next month.

The two great rivals of the elections, William Ruto (United Democratic Alliance) and Raila Odinga (Azimio la Umoja), together with Mwaure Waihiga (Agano) and George Wajackoyah (Raíces Party) have signed the so-called Letter of Peace and Political Decency of the National Commission for Cohesion and Integration by which they are obliged to carry out “a peaceful electoral campaign and responsible leadership before, during and after the elections”.

The document has been an initiative of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance which aims at a peaceful election and a smooth transition. Its president, Vimal Shah, has declared that Kenyans must be responsible and elect the correct leaders, and ensure that the country remains at peace, reports the Kenyan daily ‘The Standard’.

The signing of the pact also means that Ruto, Raila, Wajackoyah and Mwaura have vowed not to engage in hate speech or use insults or provocative language during their campaigns. In addition, they will not give any type of inducement or bribe, including money, alcohol, drugs or any other substance to influence elections.

The outgoing president of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, has also appealed to the candidates for the general elections in August to accept the results and avoid a possible increase in tensions or violence as a result of the elections in the African country.

Ruto will face his great rival Odinga, at the time an anti-establishment figure, who surprised analysts and Kenyans themselves by forming an alliance with President Kenyatta in 2018.

This alliance happened after a very violent electoral campaign, to the point that the former opposition leader is now seen as a “dolphin” of the president. This relationship is especially bloody for Vice President Ruto, considered at the time as the “heir” of Kenyatta.