Narok leaders must be held accountable for their actions

NAIROBI: Demonstrations held by some residents in Narok town on Monday highlighted the importance of dialogue in conflict resolution. They also showed what happens when leaders choose to grandstand instead of solving problems amicably.

 

Differences among leaders have been known to spill over into the public domain with disastrous results as evidenced by the deaths of two demonstrators during the protest outside the Narok County governor's office.

Despite an order by the Cabinet Secretary for Interior not to hold the demonstration for fear it could degenerate into chaos, a group of local Members of Parliament and the area senator defied instructions and organised the locals to demonstrate.

We acknowledge demonstrators' constitutionally protected right to protest. But we also recognise that large demonstrations sometimes disrupt business, resulting in inconveniences to others, and can be dangerous.

No matter the reason for the protest, it doesn't justify the senseless eruption into chaos and disruption of people's ability to get to and from their jobs. It also doesn't explain the deaths that resulted from the violence. Those who engage in illegal behaviour should pay the price.

Granted, leadership problems have been reported in many counties. Makueni, Kakamega, Kiambu, Machakos, Bomet, Embu and Bungoma are a few examples where governors, members of the county assemblies, MPs and senators rarely agree on anything.

Indeed, the differences have stifled development as the jostling for superiority takes centre stage.

But despite all this, leaders know, and must appreciate, the fact that avenues of conflict resolution do exist. In seeking to address their grievances, leaders must follow stipulated channels.

The final place for arbitration is the court. That is why questions must be asked about whether the leaders involved in the fracas had exhausted all the available channels for arbitration.

Regrettably, this incident, happened hours after Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter was caught on camera bragging that MPs make and break laws.

We hope this is not a vindication of the notion that the law is the least of legislators' worries.

The issues in Narok are weighty and should not be left to pass casually. The governor, Samuel Tunai, has been accused of financial impropriety.

Since the veracity of these claims has not been established beyond reasonable doubt, the most sensible thing for the MPs and the senator to do now is allow an audit of the county's accounts.

Leading demonstrations to demand the resignation of public officers on the basis of allegations, and issuing illegal ultimatums is not the way to solve problems.

The police are said to have hurled tear gas canisters at the demonstrators in a bid to disperse them. Clearly, this was the trigger for the mayhem as demonstrators dispersed, and later regrouped to confront the police.

Several questions arise from this incident. One of them is why the police decided to use live bullets where tear gas or rubber bullets would have sufficed.

The right to hold demonstrations is enshrined in the Constitution, which also stipulates the steps to be followed before such gatherings are held. There is need to take action on instigators of the violence whatever the case.

It's time to restore sanity in Narok. The leaders who are calling for accountability in the way funds are utilised in the county deserve to be heard.

Likewise, the governor should be given an opportunity to tell his side of the story.