NCIC urges Ruto and Raila to dialogue for stability

The appeal comes in the aftermath of increasingly violent protests that have cost millions of dollars in losses due to the loss of life and substantial property damage.
Speaking on Friday, NCIC Vice Chairperson Wambui Nyutu stressed the critical requirement that the two leaders look for peaceful solutions to the urgent problems confronting the country.
Nyutu advocated enlarging the bipartisan membership committee in order to promote a more inclusive and thorough discussion, arguing that a lack of proper representation may be one of the causes of the bipartisan talks’ inaction.
“We urge H.E. President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-of Defense Forces, Dr. William Samoei Ruto EGH, and the Azimio Principal Rt. Hon Raila Amolo Odinga to reconsider dialogue in addressing the issues alling the Country,” she said, arguing that protests are not viable for the nation.
“We kindly request that they revive and broaden the Bipartisan Parliamentary Committee to address these challenges. We think an amicable resolution will be reached.”
NCIC urged both parties to give the courts enough time to make a decision on the controversial question of the Finance Act 2023.
Nyutu also expressed his grave concern about the current anti-government demonstrations in some parts of the nation turning into ethnic bloodshed.
She cited one of the instances when protests are turning into tribal warfare as the violence in Sondu, which is situated on the border of Kericho and Kisumu.
“In reality, there have been historical conflicts amongst the communities that live in this area that have in the past caused tribal fighting. Sondu was one of several places that had been identified as hotspots,” she continued.
The vice chair of the NCIC announced that an investigation into the ongoing issue in Sondu, which some politicians, according to the NCIC, are allegedly fueling, has been opened.
She promised that thorough findings would be released the following week and that urgent measures would be done to stop the violence.
Nyutu urged everyone taking part in the demonstrations to practice tolerance, hold peaceful protests, and avoid using them as cover for breaking the law.
She highlighted that more destruction posed a serious threat to the nation’s stability and pleaded with politicians and other powerful people to discipline their supporters.
“We are profoundly saddened to see young people intimidating and harassing ordinary Kenyans, as well as causing billions of dollars’ worth of property damage. Given the status of our economy right now, this is unacceptable,”  she said.
The NCIC Vice Chair addressed the problem of excessive force used by the police and advised security personnel to carry out their responsibilities within the bounds of the law.
She issued a warning against violating human rights, particularly when using live bullets to scatter people.
“The deaths brought on by live gunshots are sad! Demonstrations shouldn’t result in any fatalities. Every life matters,” said Nyutu.
Nyutu further underlined the Commission’s worry about the recruitment of youth into violent conflict, which she claimed has served as fuel for armed militias and criminal organizations throughout the impacted areas.
She underlined the importance of stopping any actions that encourage these gangs to commit crimes.
“The advances gained by organizations like NCIC and security agencies, as well as the peace gains established during the 2022 General Elections, are likely to be undone if this scenario is not addressed,”Nyutu cautioned.
The panel also voiced grave concern with the proliferation of false information and misinformation on social media platforms, particularly material that encouraged hate speech and ethnic intolerance.
They pleaded with residents to refrain from disseminating unreliable information that inflames tensions across communities.
NCIC underlined its steadfast dedication to maintaining Kenya’s peace and fostering a sense of unity within the country.
President Ruto has been urged to revoke the contentious Finance Act by the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), and Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM).
According to NCCK Chairman Timothy Ndambuki, the skyrocketing cost of living has had a negative impact on Kenyans.
“We urge the president and Azimio leader Raila Odinga to hold talks and quit dividing our country into two, he said. “We appeal to HE the President William ruto to hear the cry of Kenyans because the nation is not in good state,” he said.
Instead, he urged President Ruto to reassess Kenyans’ onerous tax burden and go back to the drawing board.
He stated, “We urge the Ruto administration to repeal the Finance Act 2023, examine the onerous tax burden it places on Kenyans, and also retain current tax levels that will offer citizens hope for their futures and to regain their livelihoods.”