Peace and Cohesion
By: Dennis Wendo
Worth Noting:
- Security men should be moral in discharging their duties, unfortunately a clique of the security men have been illustrious in truncating the efforts of electorates to choose good leaders and to let the results of the polls reflect the wishes of the voters. Security should be well fed and be given more autonomy to perform their constitutional duties without being induced by candidates, political parties, and government.
- The law enforcers should refrain from the use of excess force, unless otherwise as a last resort. Let the Youths and Kenyans refrain from provoking security agencies to the levels of pressing them to be trigger- thirsty.
Integrated Development Network (IDN-Kenya) is an independent, not for –profit making NGO focusing on research and monitoring on governance, security, peace, cohesion, anti-radicalization,violent extremism, SGBV and ethical issues in both public and private sectors with an aim of addressing the emerging root-cause challenges in Kenya.
Reports, policy briefs and the overall work from the organization add value by stimulating policy discussions and reform processes for the mutual benefit of citizens, stakeholders and the country.
As we go into polls on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, we wish to remind Kenyans across the 47 counties to uphold peace and co-existence prior and after the polls for the stability of the Nation.The effects of violence are costly and often lead to huge social-economic and political setbacks. Previous electioneering periods have capitulated unhealed scars ranging from family displacements, sexual and gender based abuses, massive destruction of properties, unnecessary killings and investment scare to potential investors. The nation is stressed and battling high cost of living and the Covid-19 pandemic ramifications.In accord we join his Excellency the President of the republic of Kenya, Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta together with other local and international social partners; media, NCIC and Inter-faith based religious organizations that have taken a lead role and concerted efforts in advocating for peaceful elections and cohesion ahead of the general elections. We urge the political class to rally their supporters to embrace the same and recommit to free, fair, and peaceful outcomes; avoid ethnic profiling, wreckless utterances and other types of polarization that can easily ignite violence.Let us recommit ourselves to reduction of political tensions and stakes as well as a zero-sum approach to political competition; embrace dialogue; understand that an election is a process; learn to accept election outcomes and be accommodative of even the losers. Let us shun divisive leaders that mobilize and fund youths to unleash terror and mayhem for egocentric mileages.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) , a statutory body established under an Act of parliament No.12 of 2008, unlike in the past, has done a tremendous job. The body has signed 50936 election peace pledges, solved 3000 electoral malpractice related cases with 96 under scrutiny. They have been largely visible in promoting national identity and values, mitigating ethno-political competitions and ethnically motivated violence, eliminating discrimination on ethnic, racial and religious basis and promoting national reconciliation and healing through national and informal settlement dialogue forums and inter-boarder stakeholder’s peace talks in mapped areas likely to witness violence. The NCIC, Election Bila Noma initiative has largely been well received and felt by a majority of the youths.
Development history bears credence to the maxim that any democratic state or nation cannot conduct free and fair elections unless security officers, media practitioners and civil society organizations adequately perform their roles.
Any country cannot witness credible elections to sustain its democracy unless the security is ensured before, during and after elections. Bad leadership yields insecurity, corruption, and high levels of poverty. The role of security agencies is to ensure safety of lives, properties and peaceful conduct of elections.
Security men should be moral in discharging their duties, unfortunately a clique of the security men have been illustrious in truncating the efforts of electorates to choose good leaders and to let the results of the polls reflect the wishes of the voters. Security should be well fed and be given more autonomy to perform their constitutional duties without being induced by candidates, political parties, and government.
The law enforcers should refrain from the use of excess force, unless otherwise as a last resort. Let the Youths and Kenyans refrain from provoking security agencies to the levels of pressing them to be trigger- thirsty.
Media performs tremendous roles of educating, enlightening, and monitoring elections, however some of these media are biased and discriminative in nature, by all means, the media should jettison all forms of discriminations and improve on their efforts of information, education and communication. Let us be conscious and tame misinformation and disinformation on social media platforms. Fake news and propaganda is toxic and it is judicious for Kenyans to confirm and verify news and incidences prior to circulating.
Civil society organizations perform great roles in educating the electorate through different means. They serve as watch- dogs during elections and should be focused and financially independent.
All the key players in this election process should be honest, moral and discharge their duties as the constitution dictates for the country to achieve, credible, free and fair election outcome.
Dennis Wendo
Founder- Integrated Development Network
Email: dambehi@gmail.com
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