The killing of an aspirant for a county assembly seat in Kisii three days before party primaries has raised eyebrows.  Thomas Ontweka was hacked and left for dead by people who seem to have gained access to his house.  Efforts to save his life at a local hospital did not bear fruit.  

The aspirant was slated to participate in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) primaries in Kisii county tomorrow. The death came barely three days after the controversial stoning of Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga’s chopper in Uasin Gishu County, which is currently the subject of police investigations. 

While the motivation of the aspirant’s killing is yet to be determined, it is will be difficult for investigators to divorce it from the elections given the timing. 

It is more unfortunate that the primaries could be used to camouflage the motive of the killing, which may help the culprits escape justice.  The spirit of democracy is that it gives the masses power to pick their leaders in an environment that encourages fair competition and devoid of bad faith. 

Human life is sacred and is protected by law. It is, therefore, unconscionable that lives can be lost or put in danger because of political competition. No one can begin to imagine the consequences that tensions and animosity such deaths breed among communities.  

Such acts of mindlessness in the name of political competition can push communities to acts which can lead to further loss of lives.  The vulnerability of the youth to perpetuate violence fuelled by politicians is particularly disturbing.  

It is a shame that unemployed youth have  become ready armies for hire for politicians keen to mete violence on opponents.  President Uhuru Kenyatta has already pricked  the conscience of the nation by his question on what would have  become of the country had the chopper attack put Raila in harm’s way. 

The history of politically instigated killings in Kenya is replete with dangerous consequences that continue to  influence inter-ethnic relations, political debate and decision making todate. We are alarmed that ugly incidents are crawling into the political stage barely four months into the next general election in a country that tithers with ethnic tensions in every national poll.  

That’s why we urge all Kenyans to be vigilant to ensure politicians don’t push the country to the edge even as we ask authorities to probe and punish the people behind the aspirant’s killing and the Raila attack so as to send a strong message to those bent on spreading violence.