Police arrest 13 youth in Taita Taveta for disrupting rallies

The suspects were arrested at Soko Ya Zamani on the outskirts of Mwatate town. [iStockphoto]

Thirteen youths were arrested by the police yesterday for allegedly disrupting campaign rallies in Taita Taveta County.

Mwatate Deputy County Commissioner Margaret Mwaniki said the suspects were arrested at Soko Ya Zamani on the outskirts of Mwatate town.

She claimed some politicians were giving gullible youth alcohol and drugs to provoke their rivals.

The administrator said investigations have been launched and any politician found inciting youth to cause violence will face the law.

"We have arrested 13 for disrupting political rallies in the area. The drunken youth raided a political rally and disrupted it. We suspect that the youth were incited by politicians to do so and they will be arraigned once we are through with investigations," Ms Mwaniki said.

Meanwhile, security officials are using the youth to reach out to their peers to sensitise them on the need to maintain peace during and after the August 9 General Election.

Mwaniki and Taita Sub-County counterpart Maina Ngunyi said they are also using the community peace committees, Kazi Mtaani Initiative and public forums to talk to the youth to reject politicians out to incite them to cause violence during the electioneering period.

Mr Ngunyi said they have engaged more than 300 young people in the area in the peace caravan initiative that has been organised by his office, which he noted had so far impacted positively to the local community.

The local security committee will stage peace caravans where all candidates will be required to confirm to voters in public that they will not incite them to cause violence.

Jipe Assistant County Commissioner Raymond Oluoch said they have sent invitations to all candidates in the August polls to come on board and declare their support for the peace initiative slated for tomorrow.