Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has called for tolerance after the public participation exercise kicked off in various regions, with some turning violent.

In a statement on Friday, October 4, 2024, Sifuna urged participants in the exercise to shun strife, stating that it was a shame that some of the areas had witnessed violence against individuals who expressed a different opinion.

“There is absolutely no reason for violence. There can never be justification for violence against anyone. Let everyone air their views unhindered because that is what democracy demands. The scenes from some of the public participation forums across the country are shameful and must be condemned. Ni maoni tu si vita,” Sifuna said.

The vocal senator’s sentiments come after popular activist and civic educator Morara Kebaso was hurt during a public participation exercise at the Bomas of Kenya.

Kebaso was left nursing injuries after a section of the audience descended on him with chairs and blows before he was whisked away for safety.

Kebaso was at first denied entry to the Bomas of Kenya but upon getting inside, was attacked by a group inside the audience after chaos erupted in the arena.

He was shielded from the barrage of chairs by a lean group of his supporters before they were overwhelmed and rushed him out to safety.

In a statement after leaving the precinct of Bomas of Kenya, Kebaso disclosed that he had suffered injuries from the attack and that he was heading to seek treatment.

“I was barred from entering Bomas at the gate. When I finally got in, I was denied the mic at the Bomas floor. Chaos erupted. I am hurt. Headed to hospital. I live to speak another day,” Kebaso said.

Public participation exercise

The public participation exercise kicked off in various areas of the country after the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula directed Parliament’s clerk to publish venues in fulfilment of the Constitutional requirement to legally carry out an impeachment hearing in the House.

This followed the formal tabling of the impeachment motion against Gachagua in Parliament by Kibwezi West MP Eckomas Mutuse on October 1, 2024, with 80 per cent of the MPs supporting the motion.

Gachagua is accused of among other things gross violation of the constitution, gross misconduct, suspicious acquisition of property and insubordination of the President.

He, however, maintains that the impeachment is a plot by his detractors who are against the unity gospel he has been preaching across the Mount Kenya region.