Stop rhetoric, hatred and violence ahead of polls - envoys

Heads of Mission in Kenya have condemned the "malicious" Judicial Capture documents that have been circulating on social media.

There have been claims on social media that the Judiciary worked with the Opposition before issuing a ruling that cancelled President Uhuru Kenyatta's elections victory on September 1.

Uhuru admitted the ruling left him angry and before that he had said the court has a problem that needs fixing.

And now documents that are not verifiable have been peddled on the social media to incriminate the judges ahead of the October 17 repeat vote.

Read: 'Hata wewe ungesikia aje?' Uhuru admits Supreme Court ruling left him 'really angry'

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The 16 heads of mission, through US ambassador Robert Godec, said the documents contain false statements that could endanger lives.

"Kenya has witnessed an upsurge in troubling fake news, hate speech and ethnic profiling. While we support freedom of speech, baseless attacks and lies must stop," he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Godec said leaders on both sides of the political divide should work to ensure hate speech ends as they risk undermining Kenya's constitution.

"They should ensure the safety of those wrongly attacked, including members of our own mission."

The ambassador added authorities should hold to account those responsible for hate speech and incitement.

"A successful poll will require goodwill and flexibility from leaders and citizens alike. Politics must not be a matter of life or death," he said.

Godec urged Kenyans to keep the peace and respect the constitution, its values and the institutions it established.

"As partners, we stand with Kenyans who seek to move the country forward and strengthen democracy."

He said they will continue working with IEBC and the public to ensure the fresh presidential election is free, fair, and credible.

Others who signed the statement are Stefano Dejak (European Union), Mette Knudsen (Denmark), Frans Makken (Netherlands), Mauro Massoni (Italy), Sara Hradecky (High Commissioner for Canada), Fredrik Folkunger (Chargé d'Affaires a.i., Sweden) and Vincent Willekens (Chargé d'Affaires a.i., Belgium).

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