Tone down rhetoric

THE Supreme Court ordered the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to conduct fresh presidential polls within 60 days. The presidential election and the bellicose campaigns preceding it have reminded us how fragile our oft-stated unity is.

These events must prod us into thinking about how best we can forge national unity. There are those who believe the country came close to the brink on account of the killing of protesters by police and the tension that prevailed before the presidential results were nullified by the Supreme Court.

We can’t begrudge them this view. What is clear, however, is that politicians have begun to ratchet up the tension even before we start another round of campaigns ahead of the repeat presidential elections. It will be incumbent upon President Uhuru Kenyatta and National Super Alliance presidential flag-bearer Raila Odinga to cool down this tension as they are the candidates with the biggest constituency of voters in the elections rerun.

The Supreme Court ordered a repeat presidential election on account of illegalities committed by the IEBC and this is bound to be fodder as politicians campaign. Voters, too, must be reminded that elections must not always be a life-and-death affair. They must not allow themselves to be used by politicians and directed to assault rivals with opposing views.

We need to do everything we can to ensure a peaceful repeat vote.