The general election is here with us, and with a few hours to go, the question on many people’s minds is; will I vote and I if do, whom do I vote for?
Every time I speak about elections, especially to the younger generation, the question I always get is, why should I? Most young people do not appreciate the link between their vote and the enjoyment of their human rights post polls. Voter apathy is perhaps at its highest if the statistics from the IEBC on this year's new voter registration are anything to go by.
We are all just recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic that left many jobless and the cost of living is at an all-time high, with the prices of basic commodities such as unga, milk and bread too high to many. There is a feeling of despair and hopelessness, with most feeling so disenfranchised in the entire political process that they don’t see the need to participate in the upcoming polls.
I will give you reasons why you should exercise your civic duty to vote and that indeed, elections provide a beacon of hope for our country.
First, our Constitution anchors itself on bestowing power to the people. Indeed, the first article is clear on the sovereign power belonging to the people who may exercise this directly or through elected representatives. Politicians know too well this power that the people hold and that is why they have, for the past three months, been camping at every gathering, funeral, church service and roadside baraza seeking your vote.
Much has been said on the campaign trail, some politicians resorted to uncouth methods of trying to sway the votes, including bribery, threats and intimidation. But when all is said and done, only you have the power to choose whom to vote for come Tuesday the 9th.
Secondly, by voting, you transfer part of your power to leaders so that they can represent you and your needs. Elected leaders play critical roles that shape the development of our nation. Leaders enact laws that will determine how well the quality of your life will be. These include your ability to access basic needs such as affordable healthcare, accessible housing, adequate food, clean and safe water, social security and quality education for our children.
The laws and policies that they enact can provide a conducive environment for youth in small enterprises to thrive, empower women, persons with disabilities and intersex persons to access equal opportunities, and lift up the parts of our country that remain marginalised.
Thirdly, the leaders you choose can stop the vices that are currently ravishing our nation, with corruption topping the list. Corruption is the ultimate violation of human rights as it rids the people of their entitlements as humans.
The money meant for roads and hospitals is the cause for our women dying during childbirth, because they cannot access a facility or the numerous harambees that we have to hold when our dear one is diagnosed with cancer, just to enable them to access treatment abroad, yet we have the best medical brains in the region.
We need to vote in leaders bold enough to stop the cycle of corruption and call for accountability. We need to see those who have embezzled and squandered millions from the public coffers behind bars for many years. We need a leader who will put their foot down and have zero tolerance for corruption. The right leaders can do all these and turn around our public services and infrastructure to work for the people.
Come Tuesday the 9th, join the queue and cast your vote. Scrutinise carefully the choices on the ballot paper and ask yourself, are they prioritising my needs, and do they deserve my sovereign power?
Your ballot is sacred and private hence no one can force you to cast a vote in their favour, only you have that ultimate power. Vote, not on ethnic or regional lines, but on the conviction that the person is deserving of your power and will represent your needs in the next five years. Vote wisely!
A director at the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and an advocate of the High Court of Kenya
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