Alarm over increased hate speech ahead of Msambweni by-election
Human Rights Agenda Chief Executive Officer Yusuf Lule speaks in Kwale.
A human rights organisation has raised the alarm over increased hate speech propagated online ahead of the Msambweni parliamentary by-election slated for December 15.
Human Rights Agenda (Huria) wants the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to immediately begin investigations and take appropriate action on the culprits.
Huria chief executive officer Yusuf Lule said his team has been monitoring online and offline campaigns and noted with concern the growing cases of hate speech on social media platforms.
"We have documented messages shared in various social media platforms posing a threat to a peaceful by-election," he said.
He added that officials must guarantee a free, fair and peaceful election.
"We want NCIC to take action against the "internet warriors" attacking opponents and establish whether they are hired by candidates in the by-election," said Mr Lule.
With less than two weeks to the by-election, campaigns have intensified in Msambweni.
The seat fell vacant following the death of MP Suleiman Dori in March.
Some of the candidates running to replace Dori include his nephew Feisal Abdhalla Bader who is running as an independent candidate.
He has support from Deputy President William Ruto, while his main rival, Mr Omar Boga of ODM, has the blessings of party leader Raila Odinga.
Deputy party leader and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho is leading the ODM campaigns as Mr Bader's campaigns are bolstered by former senators Johnson Muthama (Machakos), Hassan Omar (Mombasa) and Boni Khalwale (Kakamega).
Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya and his deputy Fatuma Achani also support Mr Bader.
Other candidates include Charles Bilali and Mansury Kumaka (Independents), Marere Wamwachai (National Vision Party), Shee Abdulrahman (Wiper), Hassan Mwakulonda (Party of Economic Democracy), and Khamis Mwakaonje (United Green Movement).
