NAIROBI, KENYA: Political parties or their members thinking of disrupting or obstructing an opponent's rally or meeting will be breaching a code of conduct signed by party secretary generals Wednesday.
Under the guidance of the Registrar of Political Parties Lucy Ndung'u, the secretary generals presented a united front to condemn violence at political rallies and signed a code of conduct prescribed for in the Constitution and the Political Parties Act.
"Sub Article (h) of Article 91 of the Constitution provides that every political party shall subscribe and observe the code of conduct," said Ms Ndung'u.
She added: "It should be observed that Article 91(2) b emphasises that a political party shall not engage in or encourage violence by, or intimidation of, its members, supporters, opponents or any other person."
The registrar pointed out that Wednesday’s meeting at her office was the second of its kind in a process to chart the way to implement the Political Parties Act. The code points out that political parties shall not engage in or encourage violence by their members or supporters.
Ndung'u noted that political parties would be breaching the code of conduct if they established or maintained a para-military force, militia or similar organisation, or had any links with such organisations.
BLAME GAME
Nominated Senator Agnes Zani, representing the Orange Democratic Movement, said violence at political rallies had become the norm.
"We are ruining so much by not finding systems to resolve conflict. We should not allow violence to become the norm but rather find ways of arbitration and hold talks to find solutions. We do not want our country torn apart by violence," she said.
The United Republican Party Secretary General Fred Muteti pointed out that with the signing of the code, party members found to have engaged in violence would be dealt with as individuals.
"Crime is individual. It is not a blame game for political parties. We are in support of non-tolerance to violence. Political parties should be institutions of democracy," he added.
The registrar pointed out it had been agreed that parties would deal with individual members found to have been involved in violence.
"If a member is involved in chaos, the disciplinary committee will scrutinise the case and make recommendations on the suitable punishment, which may range from suspension to expulsion," Dr Zani said.
On the question of a party breaching the Political Parties Act, the registrar said a warning would be issued to the party and if not heeded, a deregistration order would be issued within 90 days.
