National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has dispatched two cohesion monitors in every county in a proactive move to tame “loose tongues”.
On Thursday, NCIC commissioner Roba Sharomo told the Star that they are alert and are doing everything possible to ensure they prevent chaos before, during and after elections.
“Owing to the rising political temperatures staged during nominations, we have reason to be alert,” he said.
This moves comes barley weeks after Registrar of Political Parties Lucy Ndungu warned political outfits of dire consequences should violence be reported to have ensued in their parties.
Ndungu warned that her office will take up disciplinary measures for such parties including de-registration.
So far, the commission has trained 825 community peace committee members on the importance of peaceful elections. It will also train 47 peace committees across the 47 counties to monitor the August 8 polls.
The cohesion monitors have video and audio features all synchronized to record the ongoings during the party primaries which kicked off today in Busia, Bungoma and Machakos counties respectively.
NCIC has also mapped out areas which are prone to violence during the electioneering period.
Nakuru, Baringo, Elgeyo Markwet, Laikipia, Samburu, Isiolo, Marsabit, Homabay, Kisumu and Nairobi are some of the regions under close watch by NCIC.
NCIC Chairman Francis Ole Kaparo has expressed confidence in taming hate speech through use of the cohesion monitors.
He said they will provide indisputable evidence to warrant a conviction unlike today when mot of those charged with hate speech end up walking scot free on the basis of insufficient evidence.