Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Nelson Havi has opined that President William Ruto should also be blamed for the unrest witnessed in Isiolo over the weekend.
President Ruto had visited Isiolo for an Aggregation and Industrial Park project where a group of youths heckled him during a roadside rally, prompting a harsh censure from the Head of State.
Havi, however, believes that the youth were only responding to President Ruto, whom he says agitated them with provocative statements.
“It is said that the youth heckled the President. With tremendous respect I think the President also heckled the people of Isiolo. When you heckle the people why should you be surprised when they heckle back,” he told Citizen TV on Tuesday.
He further maintained that there should be mutual respect between political leaders and Kenyans to uphold public order.
“Shouting is not the best way of persuading anybody in a communication,” Havi added.
On Friday, a group of youths interrupted President Ruto’s address as he ordered a crackdown on drug peddlers in Isiolo and Marsabit counties.
President Ruto claimed that some had been sent by drug dealers to heckle, warning of increased trafficking from neighbouring counties.
“I am aware the drug dealers have sent the youth to come and make noise in this meeting. Be warned young people, you can’t threaten the government. A foreigner cannot come and turn Isiolo into a drug den. It won’t happen,” Ruto said.
He warned that his administration would not condone drug peddlers and dealers who were targeting the youth.
The incident led to the arrest of about 50 youths during a security operation in Isiolo Town on Friday and Saturday and were released on Monday after pleading guilty to charges of being drunk and disorderly.
Marsabit and Isiolo have reportedly been transit routes for bhang trafficking from neighbouring Ethiopia.
