Hate Leaflets Circulating in Nakuru Spark Tension

Residents of Nakuru County have linked hate leaflets circulating in the region to some politicians who lost in the just concluded Jubilee Part nominations. This has sparked tension among communities living in this cosmopolitan County.

Residents have accused the politicians of trying to create enmity between communities living in the county for selfish political gains.

Leaflets circulated in the past three days are warning one community of dire consequences if one candidate is declared the winner in the nominations.

"Kinuthia Mbugua akitangazwa kama governor Wakikuyu wahame hii town," the leaflets read in Swahili.

"If Kinuthia Mbugua is declared the winner Kikuyus prepare to leave," an English version reads.

Residents say that the hate leaflets started circulating hours after Lee Kinyanjui was declared the winner of Nakuru Governor race for Jubilee ticket, defeating current Governor Kinuthia Mbugua.

Nakuru County was among the counties that was highly affected by the2007/08 post-election violence that left 1,300 dead and more than 600,000 internally displaced.

Residents have called upon security apparatus to probe the matter and apprehend the politicians involved. "We want police to swiftly investigate politicians who are on record claiming Kinyanjui belongs to the Kalenjin community and does not deserve the top seat," John Karanja, a resident, said.