With the political drums beating louder ahead of the next election cycle, former Garissa Governor Ali Korane has issued a stern warning to the political class: tame your tongues or burn the country. Speaking at a peace forum in North Eastern, Korane decried the rising tide of hate speech and ethnic incitement.

The veteran administrator-turned-politician observed that the reckless utterances by leaders at public rallies are polarizing the nation. "We have walked this path before," Korane said, invoking the dark memories of past electoral violence. "A word spoken in anger on a podium in Nairobi can lead to a burning village in Tana River. Leaders must bear the weight of their words."

The Cost of careless Talk

Korane’s remarks come against a backdrop of heightened inter-clan tensions in several counties. He urged the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to wake up from its slumber and bite. "Issuing press statements is not enough. We need to see people in handcuffs. Impunity breeds repetition," he asserted.

The former governor also challenged the youth to refuse to be used as goons for hire. He noted that while politicians retreat to their guarded mansions after spewing venom, it is the poor youth who are left to fight their wars on the streets. "Your life is worth more than a handout of two hundred shillings," he told the gathering.

• The Context: Recent rallies have seen a return to coded language and ethnic dog-whistling, raising fears of instability.
• The Solution: Korane advocated for issue-based politics, focusing on the economy, healthcare, and education rather than tribe and personality cults.
• The Stakeholders: He called on religious leaders and elders to take charge of the moral compass of their communities and call out errant sons, no matter how powerful.

A Nation at a Crossroads

As Kenya moves closer to the polls, the choice between peace and chaos often lies in the conduct of its leaders. Korane’s intervention is a timely reminder that democracy is fragile. It is built on the foundation of civility and mutual respect.

The message from Garissa is clear and applies to every corner of the republic: The microphone is a powerful tool. Use it to build, not to destroy. If the current trajectory continues, the cost will be paid not in votes, but in blood.