The month of August is very significant in the political and governance realm of the Kenyan history.
In August 13, 1920, the Kenya Protectorate Order in Council officially converted the East Africa Protectorate into the British Colony of Kenya, fundamentally shaping the territory’s geopolitical boundaries and legal structure. In August 1991, the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD) was formed by opposition leaders to challenge the single-party regime. This pushed Kenya toward multi-party democracy later that year. On August 27, 2010, the promulgation of the new Constitution of Kenya took place. This ushered in the Second Republic, established devolution, and created the current 47 county governments.
We are a just an August away from the next general elections and many Kenyans are jittery as to what will happen during and after the next general elections. So many things are being paraded as possible scenarios with top on the least being peace and stability or the absence of it all together.
Some issues in Kenyan minds however remain clear; the cost of living and the cost of doing business in Kenya is becoming increasingly unbearable. Many mouths are going to bed hungry due to high cost of basic commodities like bread, maize flour and vegetables coupled with the uncertainty of climatic conditions. Equally, the cost of production of goods and delivery of services makes it hard for Kenyans to lead dignified lives. Companies are closing down rendering workers jobless and this is made worse by auctioneers who keep on making it harder.
In yesteryears, essential services like healthcare, education, transport and recreation were affordable. It is painful to see children in the streets because their parents cannot afford school fees apparently for “free and compulsory basic” education. Patients are dying in their thousands for lack of basic medicines and medical care. Thousands of workers have to trek to tens of kilometers to look for jobs.
Early this year, a trend emerged when the youth, not mobilized by the politicians would pounce of unsuspecting motorists during the day, attack them and rob them of their valuables. This is an indication of economic desperation and a dangerous trend towards a failed society.
As we prepare to hold the next general elections, it is important to ask ourselves three important questions; the first one is the constitutional objective of the elections and secondly the of leaders we need and lastly, how the elections will be conducted to ensure that winners bag their victories fairly and losers proudly congratulate them. General principles for the electoral system.
Article 81 of the Constitution of Kenya states that the electoral system shall comply with the principle of (d) universal suffrage based on the aspiration for fair representation and equality of vote. Article 86 of the CoK states that at every election, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission shall ensure that (a) whatever voting method is used, the system is simple, accurate, verifiable, secure, accountable and transparent. Kenyans expect nothing more or less than this from the IEBC and all necessary preparations towards this must be now in top gear.
Political parties have now adequate time to ensure that they put their houses in order. Basic requirements for political parties. Article 91 of the CoK in summary demands that every political party shall—promote and uphold national unity; abide by the democratic principles of good governance, promote and practice democracy through regular, fair and free elections within the party and respect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms, and gender equality and equity. Political parties must drop the cliches and rhetoric Wantam and Tutam and organize themselves to address the plight of Kenyans. Ideological organizing and putting together philosophically sound manifestos is what Kenyans require not chest thumping and contests of absurdity laced with demeaning speeches.
The Kenyan citizens has a duty more than ever before to ensure that they occupy their rightful places. They must demand for accountability for the taxes they pay! Kenyans must use the right channels to demand for answers from their leaders. The social and economic plight of Kenyans; bad roads, poor health care, poor livelihoods, insecurity and deteriorating civic space is what Kenyans must question. However, one thing is very clear; before Kenyans can question the specks in the eyes of the leaders, their logs which included culture of handouts, deity-worshipper syndrome, tribalism and political wave leaning politics must be cleared.
The Kenyan Voter is the main Stakeholder in elections. Stand up and be Counted.
All concerned stakeholders, the electoral management body, the security agencies, parliament, the political parties and their members, the judiciary and all other important agencies must work towards not just a peaceful election, but one that is sound on human rights, transparency and accountability. Above all, the most important hands on the deck are those of the Voter- the Kenyan.
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