Showing posts with label General Election (2013). Show all posts

Is it time to call Makau Mutua's crystal ball to account?

Posted on 14 April, 2013

Professor Makau Mutua is a Dean and SUNY Distinguished Professor at SUNY Buffalo Law School and Chair of the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC). He also pens Sunday Nation article which mainly revolves around the politics of the day.

I have always found Makau Mutua's articles and twitter outbursts wanting and falling short of the level of analysis expected from a person who has attained the academic level of a professor of law. His articles are often uninformative offering no new information, offers no intellectual analysis, limited entertainment value and his opinion tends to be misleading for a nationwide read newspaper. A good example is this week's article on Deputy President Ruto's perceived stalking of President Uhuru. Compare that to other articles by the likes of Dr Mukhisa Kituyi or Muriithi Mutiga or the other opinion writers. 


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Next Technologies Clarification on Results Transmission System System used by IEBC

Posted on 08 March, 2013

We wish to clarify that the Result Transmission System (RTS) that is currently in use by IEBC for the 2013 General elections has not been provided by Next Technologies as alleged by the Daily Nation at Page 6 of its edition of March 6th 2013 .

The Results Transmission systems that is developed by Next Technologies was used by the IEBC in the the 2010 referendum and all by-elections held thereafter. 

The last such by elections to use the Results Transmission Systems provided by Next Technologies were the by elections held for Kangema Constituency, Ndhiwa Constituency and Kajiado Constituency. These by elections were held in September 2012.


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IEBC Press Statement on the March 4th General Election

Posted on 03 March, 2013

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE MARCH 4TH GENERAL ELECTION

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) wishes to inform the voters and the general public to note the following with regard to the March 4th 2013 General Elections:-

Opening and closing of the Polling Stations
 
Station will open at 6am and close at 5pm. However, if there are voters still on the queue at 5pm, voting time will be extended until such a time that all eligible voters have voted. If for whatever reason the opening of a station is delayed or voting interrupted, the Presiding Officer shall ensure the lost time is fully recovered by commensurately extending the voting period.
 
Voting Station
 
You will vote at the polling station where you registered as a voter. The name of the station is indicated in your acknowledgement slip issued during registration.
 
Identification Documents
 
You will require your ORIGINAL National ID or valid Passport i.e. whichever you used to register. Please note that Police Abstracts and photocopies are NOT acceptable documents.

Identification Procedure
 
To confirm that you are a genuine registered voter, the following will be required/undertaken:
  • Personal identification documents: National ID or Passport
  • Reading of your fingerprints using the Electronic Voter Identification Device (EVID)
  • Physical check for your name in the Principal Register of Voters
Things to Avoid During the Election Day:-
 
The following are key election offences that are punishable by law
  • Campaigns: Official campaign ended on Saturday 2nd March, 2013 at 6pm. Candidates and their supporters are warned its an election offence to campaign by directly soliciting for votes or by distributing or displaying campaign materials including branded vehicles, attires or give-aways thereafter.
  • Buying or selling personal identification documents. It is an offense to buy or offer to buy, sell or offer to sell a National ID or Passport for whatever reasons including denying the seller or buyer the right to vote in an election.
  • Stealing Identification Documents: It is a electoral offence to steal or illegally possess another person’s National ID, Passport or any other identification documents.
  • Possessing or Purporting to Possess election material without authority: It is an offence to possess or pretend to possess without lawful authority a Register of Voters, ballot papers or any other election material.
  • Destroying election material: Voters must refrain from destroying posters, ballot papers, ballot boxes, poll booths and any other material intended for use during elections.
  • Intimidating Voters: it is an offence to intimidate or attempt to intimidate voters to vote or not to vote for any candidate or party.
  • Disrupting the electoral process: Interrupting the normal flow of voting, counting or tallying of election results is an offence.
  • Attempting to vote more than once: It is an offence to vote or attempt to vote more than once.
Number of Ballot Papers Issued and Received
 
Every voter will be issued with six ballot papers for the following positions: President, Member of National Assembly, Senator, Governor, County Woman Representative to the National Assembly and the County Assembly Ward Representative.
 
Counting of Votes
 
Counting of ballot papers shall commence at the polling station immediately after the close of the voting period. The Presiding Officer, in the presence of the party and independent candidates’ agents, shall proceed to count and transmit results in the following manner:
  • Presidential
  • Member of the National Assembly
  • County Assembly Ward Representative
  • Senator
  • County Women Representative
  • Governor
The results will be transmitted using a mobile phone-based software and received as follows:


In order to promote transparency and public participation in elections, the IEBC will provide giant screens at the constituency and county tallying centers for the public to follow the inflow of results for various elective positions.
 
The public is encouraged to turnout in large numbers to vote and to maintain peace throughout the election period.

AHMED ISSACK HASSAN, EBS
CHAIRPERSON
INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL AND BOUNDARIES COMMISSION (IEBC)
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What the US Ambassador thought of Kenyan Election Opinion Polls in 2007

Posted on 10 February, 2013

The US Embassy in Kenya - Michael Ranneberger was the ambassador then - sent a cable to Washington on the opinion polls subject on November 14 2007. 

The opinion polls then showed that Raila Odinga was ahead with a wide margin in the 2007 presidential race and Mwai Kibaki was lagging behind. The US embassy quietly advised the opinion pollsters to change their methodology to reflect voter distribution and turnout rates after which the race became a close contest between the two presidential candidates. 

The 2013 opinion polls have elicited huge debates as to their authenticity and reflection of the reality on the ground. They have been showing Raila Odinga is leading the contest though his margin has been diminishing by the day and Uhuru Kenyatta is closing in. 

Speculations are rife that as we approach March 4th it will be a neck to neck race between Raila and Uhuru with a possibility of Uhuru leading in the opinion poll race and final ballot. 

This could also have informed the aggressive reaction by the West reiterating that they will not deal with the ICC suspects if they win and threatening unspecified consequences and sanctions if the ICC duo wins. Uhuru supporters believe the West is after a Raila presidency and that their statements are geared towards influencing the Kenyan public against voting for Uhuru.

The 2007 cable cable was among the thousands that were released by WikiLeaks.
SUBJECT: KENYA ELECTIONS: POLLING MATTERS 
¶1. (C) Our election analysis (reftels) indicates a close race for the presidency.  This analysis is based on voter  registration data and traditional turnout rates as well as  polling on presidential candidate preferences.  We were  concerned that widely published public opinion polls, which  showed ODM's Raila Odinga well ahead of President Kibaki, did  not accurately reflect the true status of the contest.  Given  the rising political temperature, partially due to the use of  blatant ethnic appeals by both sides, we were concerned about  the reaction of ODM supporters should their candidate lose in  a close outcome when they were led by public opinion polls to  expect a landslide victory. 
¶2. (C) The Mission quietly reached out to polling firms and  their clients to suggest that poll sampling distribution  should be based on the regional distribution of registered  voters, not on raw population (there are wide variances in  voter registration rates around the country, with the high  population density areas, such as Kibaki's native Central  Province, enjoying higher rates).  Polling on this basis  would be a more accurate predictor of the outcome.  When one  polling firm (Consumer Insights) then started limiting its  respondents on political preference polls to those who could  produce an actual voter identification card, the change was  dramatic: Odinga: 41 percent, Kibaki: 40.6 percent.  Once the  Steadman Group re-distributed their sampling according to the  August voter registration figures, the Kibaki/Odinga gap  shrank from 11 points to 4 points: from 39 percent Kibaki, 50  percent Odinga to 41 percent Kibaki, 45 percent Odinga.  
¶3. (SBU) The Electoral Commission of Kenya has now published  the final voter registration figures.  The major polling  firms have all committed to adjust their sampling according  to these figures and limiting responses to those who at least  claim to be registered voters.  The results of polls based on  sampling that reflects the final voter registration figures  will be available in about two weeks.  
RANNEBERGER
You can view the cable at http://www.cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id=07NAIROBI4457
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Kisii County: Governor, Senator and Women Representative Aspirants

Posted on 09 February, 2013

KISII COUNTY GOVERNOR, SENATOR AND WOMEN REPRESENTATIVES CANDIDATES

CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR

JAMES OMARIBA ONGWAE, ODM
Mr Ongwae was born in Kitutu Chache constituency, and studied Economics, Government and sociology at the University of Nairobi. 

He has served at TSC and as PS, Agriculture before joining politics in 2007 where he contested the Kitutu Chache parliamentary seat but lost.

Mr Ongwae was PM Raila Odinga’s chief campaign manager until last July.

His target is to create jobs and promote education, agriculture, sports, roads, health and ICT.

JUSTRY PATRICK LUMUMBA NYABERI, TNA
The lawyer comes from Bobasi, and has unsuccessfully contested twice for the parliamentary seat. He holds a doctorate in law from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark and another in Business Administration, and an MBA from University of Nairobi.

In the year 1990 graduated with Diploma in Law from Kenya school of Law. Mr Nyaberi worked as the managing director Kenya Cooperative Creameries Ltd between 1998-1999.

PETER SALIM NDEMO, FORD PEOPLE
Dr Peter Ndemo, 70, hails from Kitutu Chache. He holds Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Washington International. He also holds MBA from the same university. 

He served as a commissioner of the Public Service from 2002-2009, and worked as director of shipping and maritime affairs in the Ministry of Transport. In 1999 he worked as alternate director, KPA. He also served as deputy secretary in charge of Postal Corporation.

ZADDOC OGUTU, UDF
Prof Ogutu was born in Bomachoge. He did his MA in Natural resources from the University of Toronto and has PhD in Development studies from the University of Edinburgh. Between 2002- 2008 he was a Regional Coordinator Programme on Poverty eradication and Environment in Lake Victoria region. 

He has also served in UNEP, UNPD and UN habitat. His goal is creating wealth and jobs through value addition to make Kisii town and rural livable.

SHEM MACHOKA, KENYA SOCIAL CONGRESS
He comes from Bomachoge constituency and is a businessman in Kisii County.
He is real estate developer, and runs hospitality facilities.
He holds a bachelor’s degree of business management from Egerton University.
He promises that he will economically empower the youth and women once he is elected the governor.

CANDIDATES FOR SENATE

CHRIS OBURE, ODM
The former MP for Bobasi and minister for Public Works was born in 1950 in the larger Majoge Bassi constituency which has since been split to Bobasi and Bomachoge. Mr Obure holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Nairobi. 

He worked for Bata Shoe as company secretary and director between 1968-74 and Kenya Breweries as company secretary from 1974-83. He first contested for parliamentary seat for Majoge Bassi constituency in 1969 but lost to Zephaniah Anyieni. He bounced back and won the seat in 1983. He has been Bobasi MP for over 20 years, and wants stability.

SAM ONGERI, TNA
He is the outgoing MP for Nyaribari Masaba and minister for Foreign Affairs and was born in Gesusu in 1938. The professor of medicine attended various universities abroad, and was first elected as MP for Nyaribari Masaba in 1988 till 1992. 

He was re-elected in 1997 and 2007. Prof Ongeri served in various ministries. In 1993-98 he was Kenya’s permanent representative, Unep. Prof Ongeri promises to add value to education, address the high rate of unemployment, improve farming, infrastructure in urban and town centres for business.

OMINGO MAGARA, PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Born in 1961, the former assistant minister for Trade was first elected South Mugirango MP in a January 2001 byelection. Mr Magara holds a bachelor of commerce from Punjab University. He is also a CPA (K) and a member of ICPAK. 

Mr Magara has worked with Income tax department at the Ministry of Finance. He has also worked with the Kenya Revenue Authority. He served as a chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) between 2003 and 2004. Magara says if elected the first senator, his priorities will be developing key sectors of the county’s economy.

RAPHAEL RAINI, FORD KENYA
Mr Raini was born in Nyangusu in Bobasi constituency. He went to a secondary school in Uganda and later graduated from Milano University in Italy with a degree in accounting and has worked in the civil service for 28 years before retirement. 

He was formerly the chief accountant in the Ministry of Lands and Settlement until 1992. Has interest in the hospitality industry being the proprietor of Solace Hotel, Nairobi. He is approaching 70 years of age.

CANDIDATES FOR WOMEN’S REPRESENTATIVES

MARY OTARA (ODM)
The social worker has been championing the plight of widows and orphans. Mrs Otara holds a degree on Social Work and Development from Daystar University, and has diploma in Systematic Theology from Neema College. 

She currently serves as national women coordinator with the Evangelical Church in Kenya. She will continue to assist poor households through her wide network and promote basic health and food security.

JANE MATOKE (FORD PEOPLE)
Born in Bobasi, Ms Matoke studies at the University of Nairobi for bachelor’s degree in law. She worked in Cooperatives ministry’s legal department for two years, then practised for 12 under her Njagi and Nyaboke Advocates. 

She also worked as chairperson Water and Regulatory Board. She promises to champion the rights of women, and pay particular attention to the girl child and education. She will seek to improve infrastructure with government money and seek markets abroad.

ROSEMARY OBARA
She is a teacher who served for 20 years until 2004. She attended Nyabururu Girls before she moving Manor House High School and Kaimosi TTC. She also holds a diploma in county governance from the JKUAT. 

Currently she is a business woman in Kisii town. If elected she vows to continue fighting for retrogressive FGM practices and transform the lives of women and girls who for years have carried water on their heads, babies strapped on backs.

JUDITH KERUBO MIRUKA
The youngest women aspirant Mrs Miruka was born in 1976 in Bonchari. She learnt at Otamba Secondary before joining Meru TTC. She later enrolled for her first degree in Education at the University of Nairobi. 

She holds a masters in administration and planning from the same university. She promises that if elected, she will address issues affecting people in society. “I will not discriminate based on gender,” she says.

MRS FONTINA ROSELINE NGARE (NARC K)
Born in 1969 in Nyamira County, she attended Kebirichi Primary and Sengera Girls High before joining St Paul’s TTC. She holds a degree in education and masters in administration. She has been a headteacher for nine years before she resigned to join politics.

Mrs Ngare will empower women because she understands issues affecting them. “I have lived with Kisii women since I was born,” she says.

KISII CONSTITUENCIES AND REGISTERED VOTERS


Constituency
Registered Voters
(Dec  18 2013 )
Bobasi
67,959
Bonchari
38,749
Nyaribari Chache
58,574
Nyaribari Masaba
43,976
South Mugirango
51,020
Bomachoge Chache
31,459
Bomachoge Borabu
39,286
Kitutu Chache South
45,629
Kitutu Chache North
37,841
Total (Kisii County)
414,493



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Obama: US will respect and work with a freely and fairly elected Kenyan President

Posted on 05 February, 2013

Kenyans have been waiting for a signal as to which direction the United States will take regarding the Kenyan General Elections. This is even more important since we have an ICC trial suspect and Jubilee presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta pitying against CORD coalition candidate Raila Odinga who once claimed to be Obama's cousin and comes from Obama's father tribe and home town. These two are the leading contenders in the Kenyan presidential race.

Amidst rumours of economic sanctions to Kenya by the West (with US and UK in the lead) if Uhuru ascends to the presidency, many Kenyans have been silently thinking that Obama (and the West generally) prefers a Raila Odinga presidency.

However, in his statement to Kenyans, Obama showed no preference to Raila Odinga nor did he hint at a strained US-Kenya relationship if Uhuru Kenyatta wins the presidency on March 4th. His main emphasis was peaceful, free and fair elections which reflects the will of the people.

Here is the statement

"Habari yako. Over the years, I have been greatly moved by the warmth and spirit - the strength and resolve - of the Kenyan people. And I've been grateful for my connection to Kenya, and the way you've welcomed me and my family to your beautiful country - from my father's village in Alego, to bustling Nairobi.

"In my visits, I've seen your progress. Kenya has lifted people from poverty, built an emerging democracy and civil society, and sustained a spirit of hope in the face of great difficulty. After the turmoil of five years ago, you've worked to rebuild communities, reform institutions and pass a new constitution.

"Now, Kenya must take the next step in March, with the first national elections under your new constitution.

"We all know what makes for successful elections. Kenya must reject intimidation and violence, and allow a free and fair vote. Kenyans must resolve disputes in the courts, not in the streets. Above all, the people of Kenya must come together, before and after the election, to carry on the work of building your country.

"The choice of who will lead Kenya is up to the Kenyan people. The United States does not endorse any candidate for office, but we do support an election that is peaceful and reflects the will of the people.

"This election can be another milestone toward a truly democratic Kenya defined by the rule of law and strong institutions. If you take that step, and reject a path of violence and division, then Kenya can move forward towards prosperity and opportunity that unleashes the extraordinary talents of your people - especially young people. If you continue to move forward, you can build a just Kenya that rejects corruption, and respects the rights and dignity of all Kenyans.

"This is a moment for the people of Kenya to come together, instead of tearing apart. If you do, you can show the world that you are not just a member of a tribe or ethnic group, but citizens of a great and proud nation. I can't imagine a better way to mark the 50th anniversary of Kenyan independence. And I say to all of you who are willing to walk this path of progress-you will continue to have a strong friend and partner in the United States of America. Kwaheri." 

and the YouTube Video
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Mutahi Ngunyi Predicts a Jubilee Alliance Win - The Tyranny of Numbers (Hypothetically)

Mutahi Ngunyi, Kenya's renowned political scientist has taken to YouTube to hypothetically analyze the IEBC voter registration numbers. According to him, the elections were won on December 18th 2012 by Jubilee alliance based on the voter mobilization and registration in their ethnic strongholds.

Of course no media house in Kenya can touch this analysis since it is based on a historical assumption that Kenyan will vote along tribal lines.











Mutahi Ngunyi however fails to put the following into consideration
  • CORD and Amani coalitions effect on the Rift Valley votes
  • CORD effect on the western vote
  • How he came up with the aggregated GEMA numbers
  • How he distributes Nairobi county numbers
  • The tribal voting blocks are not contiguous e.g Kiambu is a cosmopolitan county and not all the 800K plus votes are GEMA
LISTEN TO THE CLIP TO UNDERSTAND MUTAHI NGUNYI'S ARGUMENT



Mutahi Ngunyi Disclaimer: Everything said in this clip is hypothetical. That must also be noted.
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The Profiles of Presidential Candidates Running Mates in the 2013 General Elections

Posted on 27 January, 2013

Kalonzo Musyoka

The Vice-President has been in politics for close to three decades.

He is the Wiper Democratic Party leader which has partnered with Mr Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Party to form Cord, which made him the running mate.

Mr Musyoka, 60, first became MP when he won the Kitui North by-election in 1985 and was appointed an assistant minister for Works, Housing and Physical Planning.

He was re-elected MP in 1988 and elected Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. In 1992, he was re-elected MP and appointed Foreign Affairs minister.

He was won the sear again in 1997 and headed the ministries of Education and Human Resources Development and Tourism and Information.

William Ruto

Born on December 21, 1966, the URP leader holds a Bachelor of Science and master’s degree in botany from the University of Nairobi.

Mr Ruto was first a political operative in Kanu, then ODM, and now the URP. He is the party leader of URP, which partnered with Mr Uhuru Kenyatta’s TNA to form the Jubilee Coalition. Mr Ruto served the coalition government as the Agriculture minister before he was moved to Higher Education. He has been the MP for Eldoret North for the past 15 years.

He has considerable business interests in the agriculture and service industries. He is facing charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court in The Hague for his alleged role in the 2008 post-election violence.

Jeremiah Kioni

Mr Kioni is the outgoing MP for Ndaragwa and was elected to Parliament in the 2007 General election.

He is Amani Coalition leader Musalia Mudavadi’s running mate.

Before his entry into politics, Mr Kioni ran Ngayu and Associates, a property valuation firm based in Nairobi.

He is one of the MPs who came up with the idea of the United Democratic Forum.

He holds a degree in Lands Economics and a Master of Arts in Housing Administration from the University of Nairobi.

He also has a law degree from the University of Nairobi.

Mr Kioni has also been a member of the Land Arbitration Board.

Winnie Kaburu

Ms Winnie Kaburu, 53, is the presidential running mate of Prof James ole Kiyiapi.

The former English teacher is a businesswoman and has been active in Kenya’s private sector for the past 10 years.

The last time she taught English was 25 years ago at Uasin Gishu High School.

She also worked in the defunct Kenya Posts and Telecommunication Corporation for six years before moving into the private sector.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a master’s in Gender and Development from the University of Nairobi.

She’s the chairperson of the Private Sector Forum and the chief executive officer of Envirowaste Management Limited

Ronald Osumba

Mr Osumba is the running mate of Mr Peter Kenneth in the March 4 General Election.

The 33-year-old is a former senior manager at mobile phone company Safaricom.

He holds a degree in Business Management (Marketing) from Moi University, Eldoret.

He is also a chartered accountant. He chairs the board of Youth Employment Systems - a nonprofit organisation.

Born in Kibera in a family of six, Mr Osumba won a scholarship to study at Starehe Boys Centre. He once worked at Co-operative Bank as the sales team leader.

He is the chairman of the Old Stareheian Society, a club of the alumni from Starehe Boys Centre. His goal, he says, is to ensure continuity of the Starehe heritage.

Augustine Lotodo

Mr Augustine Loile Chemonges Lotodo, 42, is the running mate of Ms Martha Karua.

The son of former Kanu MP Francis Lotodo, the younger Lotodo has served in the East Africa Legislative Assembly, having been picked to the regional assembly by Ms Karua’s Narc Kenya.

He brings to Mr Karua’s campaign the regional experience that will be key for any President keen on the East Africa Community.

His stint in EALA gave him huge experience in negotiating with lawmakers from different backgrounds and cultures.

He is a former board member of the Lake Victoria North Water Services Board.
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NCIC Advisory on Actions to Reinforce Peaceful Co-Existence During the 2013 General Elections

NATIONAL COHESION AND INTEGRATION COMMISSION


ADVISORY ON ACTIONS TO REINFORCE PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE DURING THE 2013 GENERAL ELECTIONS

Since the return to multi-party democracy, Kenya’s General Elections have been marred by violence in largely multi-ethnic regions of the country. The most extensive violence of this nature was witnessed in the aftermath of the pronouncement of the presidential elections results following the 2007 General Elections. 

The country is now facing the first General Election after the threat to sustained unity witnessed in 2008 and under a new governance structure instituted under the 2010 Constitution.

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission established under the National Cohesion and Integration Act, 2008 is under Section 25 (j) of the Act mandated to; ‘identify and analyze factors inhibiting the attainment of harmonious relations between ethnic communities, particularly barriers to their participation in social, economic, commercial, financial, cultural and political endeavours. 

The Commission is required to recommend to the Government and any other relevant public or private body how to overcome these factors’.

NCIC was recently engaged in monitoring of the political party nominations process that was conducted nationwide with a view to identifying potential triggers to violence in the coming General Elections.

The violence that was recently experienced in some parts of the country including the discontent expressed by Kenyans in addition to our findings have highlighted the need for concerted efforts to sustain the relative peace we have enjoyed in the last five years as we approach the General Elections.

NCIC thus makes the following recommendations:

a) The late delivery of ballot material in areas where there exists stiff competition between aspirants and/or parties poses a trigger to violence and should be mitigated

The outcome of our monitoring shows that areas where a number of parties are deemed stronger and/or where equally strong candidates are present, undoubtedly remain vulnerable to rumor mongering and political manipulation. It is also noted that the fact that aspirants were still able to ‘party-hop’ means that in many areas the contest that could have been concluded with party nominations have been postponed.

b) Conduct of Campaign Supporters

It was apparent (from the monitoring exercise) that the aspirants were more responsive to discussions to keep peace during campaigns but remained susceptible to manipulation from radical supporters. The need to ensure that supporters are not allowed to easily congregate around the tallying areas must be emphasized to control mob tendencies.

We appeal to all Kenyans to maintain peace at all times as they practice their Constitutional right to support candidates of their choice. They should not trample on other citizens’ rights as they continue to enjoy theirs.

c) Complete Impartiality of the Police and Administration

The police have a specific enforcement role that must not be diluted by threats to peace.

There is need to ensure that all officers working with the National Police Service, including special police officers appointed under the powers conferred to the Inspector General of Police, sustain law and order around the polling and tallying areas and have adequate knowledge of their roles and mandate. Kenya is raw from the 2007/8 violence and police impartiality will be paramount in ensuring peaceful General Elections.

d) All candidates need to be conversant with the current provisions of relevant laws that relate to keeping peace and order.

Reports of some aspirants marshaling wananchi to violence despite the existence of laws that criminalize such activities should not be tolerated. The existing dispute resolution mechanisms must be used exhaustively.

e) Sobriety and responsibility in communicating polling results

The fast pace and ease of access to communication channels such as social media and cell phones must not be abused or corrupted to relay unconfirmed information.

Only confirmed results should be relayed to avoid miscommunication. Those who engage in such shortcuts should face the law.

WAY FORWARD

(i) Whereas prompt delivery of materials is essential for all polling stations, IEBC should put extra effort in potential hot spots where delivery of polling material need to be prioritized.

(ii) The suspicion Kenyans exhibited against the police force following the 2008 violence still exists. The need to act firmly and uphold the law is key if wananchi are to work with the National Police Service. The National Police Service need to ensure that all persons recruited and deployed at polling and tallying centers are conversant with the law.

(iii) Political parties need to ensure that all persons to whom they issue Party Certificates are sensitized on relevant laws especially sections of the NCI Act 2008 regarding hate speech and other laws relating to keeping peace and non-incitement to violence.

(v) Elections are important in any democratic society but the continuity of the nation is bigger than each and all. Thus the general populace needs to respect the law and remember at all times to put KENYA KWANZA!

Mzalendo N. Kibunjia, PhD., EBS
COMMISSION CHAIRMAN
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