Towards a peaceful General Election 2017

A meeting held at State House between President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Council of Governors that spells out security measures to be taken to ensure that peace is maintained as we gear up for elections in 2017 is laudable.

The three-point resolution is one step, no less significant, to ensure that the 2017 elections don't plunge the country into chaos as happened in 2007, where 1,300 lives were lost and hundreds of thousands of people got displaced. Previously, security has been a sticky issue between the counties and the National Government. Part of the measures to ensure that this is resolved and that security is enhanced, includes the formation of a County Policing Authority. Hopefully, this will help straighten things out.

But most importantly, the need to rein in on hate speech on social media and other media has been long overdue. Indeed, a casual look through some of the postings on Facebook and Twitter leaves a lot to be desired. A trend that threatens the very fabric of society is taking shape; a trend that portrays our society as steeped in despicable prejudice and frightening ignorance. But these measures mean nothing in isolation. For in truth, to cultivate a peaceful, cohesive society requires more than a raft of stringent rules.

Large populations of jobless, disaffected youth make for a combustible mix. Often, the youth are used to perpetuate acts of lawlessness especially at election time. And with a youth unemployment rate of nearly 35 per cent, the youth should have reason to hope for a better tomorrow. They ought to have a feeling of belonging. Besides, they need an assurance that their say at the ballot counts for something.

Also, the events of 2007/08 offer sobering lessons of what can precipitate an environment that threatens the peace. A woefully incompetent electoral body battling integrity issues can tip a country into violence. Commendably, there are ongoing efforts to reform the IEBC. That should be hastened to give it adequate time to prepare for the vote.