In three months, Kenya will hold her the third election under the 2010 Constitution.
The August 9 election is transitional, as President Uhuru Kenyatta is retiring.
The country has been experiencing high-voltage political campaigns across all levels of elective seats. Undoubtedly, the call for peaceful campaigns has repeatedly been directed to the leading presidential candidates, leaving out those running for other positions.
We are cognizant of our past, especially the violent aftermath of the 2007 general election. A peaceful election will be a win for all Kenyans. The majority of Kenyans want a peaceful country, even as time ticks towards August 9. Kenyans should know that political promises mean nothing in the absence of a peaceful environment.
Economists have reminded us several times that most investors fold their hands whenever Kenya heads to elections. This has a negative ripple effect on the economy. The promise of creating employment, supporting agriculture and rebooting the economy cannot be tenable in a hostile environment, if acts of violence continue to define the brand of the campaigns. In the words of Nyeri Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria, the political class needs to embrace forgiveness as a value and divorce themselves from divisive statements.
The chaos and violence that characterised recent political party nominations are highly regrettable. In the absence of real commitment to peaceful elections, we may witness a repeat of the violence. Kenyans should appreciate that peace is paramount and we all must protect peaceful co-existence.
Perhaps one of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s legacy should be to guide the nation towards a peaceful election and guarantee a smooth transition. The Constitution obligates the President to foster national unity. How the President will juggle this duty in the wake of heightened political engagements puts his conduct under the spotlight. The differences that have often played out between Deputy President `William Ruto and the President do not paint a good picture as the country heads to the polls.
The IEBC should strictly enforce the election law and instill confidence among Kenyans that credible and verifiable elections remain the primary promise to Kenyans. It should go on record that the best way to guarantee peaceful election is to remain wedded to the relevant law. We do not want a repeat of the 2017 scenario where the presidential election results were annulled by the supreme court.
A repeat election is not only expensive but also divisive to the Nation. Whichever the outcome of the election, Kenyans want to wake up the following day and report to work. In a constitutional democracy like ours, we hope the elections will be fair, transparent and credible at all levels of political competition. Any departure from free, fair, transparent elections will be a recipe for chaos.
Finally, the National Cohesion and Integrated Commission should be decisive and balanced in dealing with hate speech. Kenyans should be vigilant to defend their hard-earned democratic rights. Eligible voters should prepare to vote and secure the country by choosing the right leaders. To the youth, you must choose not to be used as political tools of violence against each other or as agents of planting hatred through the social platforms. In the words of those who love their countries, a nation is more important than an individual.
We should choose to be goodwill ambassadors and share a message of hope and peace as we head to the polls.
Public policy and legal analyst
