Heavy burden of high hopes for new President
The citizens of Kenya have a new leader. Congratulations to the President-elect for your victory in the most hotly contested presidential election in Kenya’s history.
Congratulations to the runner-up and other contestants for putting up spirited and well-organised campaigns across the country.
Congratulations to the millions of Kenyans who demonstrated a high level of maturity and maintained peace as they voted for leaders for the Presidency, Wards, Woman Reps, National Assembly, Senate, and County Government. Congratulations to us all for upholding the legacy of our Constitution.
This year’s election is a historic evolution of our nation since we attained independence in 1963. We have a new leader, an enduring symbol of our statehood for the next five years carrying a heavy burden of high hopes of more than 50 million Kenyans on his shoulders.
The weight of the challenges currently confronting citizens and the difficult period the country has gone through following the COVID-19 pandemic and vicious economic conditions for the majority compounded by an atrocious political environment requires burying electoral differences for our survival and growth as a nation.
Grandstanding and demagoguery have toxified politics and all sides of the divide should come to the realization that the acrimony that preceded this year’s transitional election is a recipe for national disintegration.
Optimistically, the peaceful completion of the elections has strengthened democracy and enhanced political maturity. There was also an improvement in our electoral process. However, critical lessons learned demand urgent action. We recall the Supreme Court Decision of 1 September 2017 that the 8 August 2017 presidential election was not conducted according to the dictates of the Constitution (and was therefore null and void).
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) must immediately conduct an evaluation, in particular, a forensic audit of its personnel and systems, and promptly start preparations for the next election based on the lessons learned.
Did the IEBC deliver a free, fair, transparent, accountable, and credible election as demanded by the Constitution, the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission, and the Kriegler Commission’s recommendations arising out of the National Accord following the 2007/2008 post-election violence? Yes and No.The malignant cancer of corruption and electoral fraud has invaded our electoral system as witnessed these past days. There must be a thorough and continuous audit of the voters’ register, and adequate technological preparation to conduct electronic elections.
Technology elections require IT specialists, data analysts, and statisticians, voter identification, stricter control and monitoring of results transmission, a foolproof integrated election system, and vetting and training of electoral staff. Just as Kenyans needed the accord for a roadmap to genuine reconciliation and healing after a bitter electoral contest, the new leader needs to guide wananchi along a path of peace and cohesion to rebuild our divided nation.
Kenyans hailed the Constitution’s enactment in 2010 as an expansion of the democratic space. However, just 12 years later, its cardinal tenets of democracy, human rights, good governance, equity and inclusion, leadership and integrity, social and electoral justice have not been met.
Now, the President-elect and all elected leaders regardless of political affiliation must address critical challenges facing Kenyans – the high cost of living, unemployment, corruption, poverty and climate change. Top of the agenda is food security.
Kenyans are optimistic the new administration and legislators will within 100 days produce a blueprint that will ensure no Kenyan sleeps hungry in our blessed land and nation.
— The writer comments on political and justice issues — [email protected]
