VP Kalonzo appeals for peaceful poll campaigns

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has called on aspirants in the presidential race to conduct their election campaigns on issues and national platform to avoid polarising the nation along ethnic lines. Speaking at an ongoing at ongoing Community Tension, Dialogue and Peace Building conference at Crowne Plaza Nairobi yesterday, Kalonzo called on those seeking elective position in the general election to anchor their campaigns on national, trans-ethnic platforms and refrain from defining opponents by their ethnic affiliations.

He said this will help deter political contests from looking as if it is between one ethnic community against the rest. The VP called on the National Commission on Cohesion and Integration Commission’s  the Kenya Kwanza Initiative on peaceful coexistence and players in peace initiatives to force those angling for political positions to sign peace charters before they can be allowed to vie. “I urge all aspirants at national and county levels to ensure they sign the charter as a sign of their commitment to its ideals,” said Kalonzo.

He said unregulated election opinion polling construct high hopes and exaggerate egos that could be difficult to contain when the actual results are contrary to the predetermined sense of victory as in the past election Kalonzo urged Kenyans to realise that the purpose of an election is to chose one candidate out of many to lead or to represent citizens.  “Therefore, as we enter an election we must prepare ourselves and our supporters for either  of the two  results my victory or that of my opponent and either way  it is all fine for our democracy  and our country,” he said, adding that all candidates in an election ought to commit themselves to accept the results of the election. He urged those dissatisfied with the results of the election to seek court arbitration and redress and not take it to streets. The two day conference is organized by the NCIC, Coventry University, University of Nairobi and the British Council.