Fred Matiang’i, Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Interior and National Coordination said eight suspects have been arrested in connection with the hate leaflets that have recently been circulated in parts of the Rift Valley region.
Matiang’i said the investigations will be extended to the masterminds of the leaflets whose content warns members of certain communities of retribution if they fail to elect particular leaders.
The hate leaflets are intended to spread fear and panic among Kenyans of different ethnic communities living in Rift Valley, which is the most expansive region with unique policing challenges linked to the election season.
After the general elections in 2007, inter-ethnic clashes and police violence left about 1,300 people dead and 650,000 displaced.
Kenya will go to the polls on Aug. 9 to elect a new president and national lawmakers, as well as the governors and assemblies of its 47 counties.
The August election is set to be contested between two major political alliances — Kenya Kwanza headed by Deputy President William Ruto and Azimio la Umoja led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
read: Ahead of August polls: Kenyan police in a high state of readiness; to deploy 150,000 officers & aircraft
