Election warning

By Vitalis Kimutai and Isaiah Lucheli

Key players in ensuring next year’s elections that will see President Kibaki replaced at State House are not quite comfortable that the ground is smooth enough for a peaceful polling.

Top on their list of worries is the ethnic angle that political rivalries and campaigns are taking as well

A UN agency warned one of the biggest dangers in the election countdown could be the merger between ethnicised politics and the ongoing trials of four Kenyans for crimes against humanity at The Hague.

Acting Head of Civil Service Francis Kimemia, whose office oversees security in and out of election period, outlined crucial challenges and early warning signs the transition elections may not be that rosy.

He listed the biggest challenges to a secure election as negative ethnicity and re-mergence of criminal gangs and militias during electioneering period. "Several internal and external challenges face Kenya and pose serious security and safety threats even as we prepare for the General Elections," Kimemia admitted during the launch of Uwiano Strategic Leadership and Peace Agenda for 2012 and Beyond.

"Ethnicisation of politics, food shortage, criminal gangs and militias that emerge during electioneering periods remain a threat to a peaceful election," he added as he painted a grim picture of what could be awaiting the country.

His fears were reiterated by UNDP Resident Representative Mr Aeneas Chuma who said his organisation is concerned about some critical issues that need to be collectively addressed as the country moves closer to election. "I am concerned with heightened political activities and rhetoric that may serve to foment conflict and violence as elections draw closer," Chuma said.

ethnicisation

"The likelihood of increased ethnicisation of political debates, rise in number of armed groups and militias, the International Criminal Court process and conflicts associated with Devolution process in cosmopolitan counties remain worrisome," UNDP warned.

Speaking at separate function Independent Electoral Commission chairman Isaack Hassan said: "In Kenya, there is no election cycle as the country is always on an election mood but the media must rise to the occasion at this crucial time and offer civic education."

"The media is the greatest player in civic and voter education and IEBC considers it a major stakeholder in the election process by educating voters," Hassan said.

Mr Yusuf Nzibo, an IEBC Commissioner said at the Uwiano forum: "IEBC is involved in the peace initiatives. We are committed to conducting ourselves above board as an electoral body in order to ensure that the whole voting process and votes transmission is professionalised and beyond reproach."

Chairman of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission Dr Mzalendo Kibunjia said, "hate speech has been a major challenge for the commission." Kibunjia added NCIC has entered into partnership with various stakeholders championing for a peaceful election.

The UNDP official challenged the Government to resettle internally displaced persons, warning, "it will be unfortunate to go into the next General Election with thousands of women, children and the elderly in tented camps."

"We must address this problem to alleviate tensions and uncertainties facing those affected since 2008," Mr Chuma said.

unfortunate events

"Personally I was taken aback by the unfortunate events in Malindi recently when the IEBC conducted a mock election. Those were mock elections but the violence was not a mock one," Chuma cautioned.

Kenyans, UNDP said, must be prepared for to cope with likely tensions, conflicts and possible negative outcomes often associated with political competition.

The weighty issues emerged as the election date itself remains unclear with politicians divided whether the polls should be held in December this as has been the tradition over the years or in March 2013 as proposed by IEBC and backed by President Kibaki.

Kimemia said no less than 90,000 police officers will be required to effectively guard 45,000 polling centres countrywide in the first election under the current Constitution.

The Government outlined critical issues that must be addressed in the run up to the general election in order to ensure peaceful transition of leadership in the country.

Kimemia and acting Internal Security Permanent Secretary (PS) Mutea Iringo conceded there were a many challenges to peaceful elections.

Kimemia added that external issues such as religious fundamentalism, terrorism threat, the influx of refugees and asylum seekers, piracy and cross-border conflict continued to pose serious challenge to the country’s effort to attain sustainable peace.

coverage guidelines

At the launch of revised guidelines for election coverage, Mrs Pansy Tlakula who is the Commissioner and Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, drew attention to the fact Kenya is yet to ratify the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance despite signing it four years ago.

The Charter was adopted by the African Union which Kenya is a member on January 30, 2007 and came into effect on February 15, 2012.

The charter recognises the interconnection between freedom of expression, access to information and elections and the importance of freedom of expression, including press freedom in a democracy.

"One of its objectives is to promote the establishment of conditions necessary to foster citizen participation, transparency, access to information, freedom of the press and accountability in the management of public affairs," Tlakula explained.

Those present included Standard Group Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Paul Melly, Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere and Administration Police Commandant Kinuthia Mbugua among other top government officials.

Kimemia assured the country the government was prepared to enforce peace before and after elections.

The chairman of Kenya Editors Guild Mr Macharia Gaitho cautioned: "Ethnicity-embedded journalism is an issue facing the media in Kenya and there are cases when reporters get too cozy with political players."