Political campaigns are now at a fever pitch ahead of the August 8 general election.
We all hope for peaceful elections. Peaceful elections, however, have to be created, especially in an environment of polarisation.
It is, therefore, our collective responsibility to ensure tranquillity prevails before, during and after the elections.
Politicians need to be careful not to incite their supporters against their rivals during the campaign trail. The use of hateful and vulgar language should be discouraged and actively resisted. Leaders should sell their manifesto without necessarily causing tension among the electorate.
In past elections, politicians have been accused of taking advantage of the socio-economic inequalities afflicting the youth to deploy them for heinous acts of political violence. Political contests are not a matter of life or death, and should not be turned to be so. The political class should be at the forefront in demonstrating tolerance, preaching and upholding peace.
On the flip side, citizens, especially the young people, should not allow politicians to use them for self-serving political expediency. Often, when things turn ugly, it’s always the youth and other vulnerable groups, including women and children, who suffer the most.
The families of our political classes, often the authors of such activities, are rarely affected. Therefore, it behoves the young people to maintain peace by refraining from being agents of political violence. In any case, the youth should work with law enforcement and other relevant agencies to make sure any such incidents are nipped in the bud.
With the widespread use of technology in the country, social media should be in check. Many a time, social media users tend to argue their political positions based on tribal lines. This irresponsible use of social media must be abhorred. The messages shared online should be of promoting peace and national cohesion.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission is the government agency mandated to midwife elections. In recent years, Kenyans’ taxes and resources have been channeled into the institution to ensure a vibrant and independent electoral body. IEBC must move with speed and get their act together.
Recent court cases, uncertainty regarding procurement of election materials and recruitment of a substantive CEO, barely seven months to August, send shivers down the spine. IEBC needs to prepare for and conduct a verifiable and accountable election.
State actors, including the criminal justice system and National Cohesion and Integration Commission, need to be on speed dial to quell signs of violence, with utmost justice and fairness, as the country makes the grand walk to the August elections.
Lest we forget, the past political incidents should remind us that our community fabric is more fundamental than the often broken self-serving promises by politicians.
Samuel Kimeu is the executive director Africa's Voices Foundation Derrick Ngaira is a communications assistant
