Lack of civic education to blame for voter apathy, says Eugene

By Robert Wanyonyi

Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa and Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo took their Pambazuka Coalition rallies to Bungoma County with a call to residents to register as voters.

Addressing rallies in Kimilili and Chwele towns during a tour of all the nine constituencies in Bungoma County to drum up support for the on-going voter registration, the duo expressed worry over the few people who have so far registered.

They blamed the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for failure to enlighten the public on the exercise.

Wamalwa said that as the minister in whose docket the exercise falls, he’s ashamed even to rally Kenyans in other regions to register when his own kinsmen have failed to heed the call.

“I want you to make me proud if you use the remaining few days to turn up at various designated centres for those who are yet to register to do so. This is the only way that you can participate fully in offering this country a new leadership,” urged Wamalwa.

The minister accused the IEBC of under-using the Provincial Administration, saying that if it were not for the efforts of village elders, chiefs and their assistants going from house to house to campaign, the new Constitution could not have been passed.

He added that the Government was aware of an on-going go-slow by officers of the Provincial Administration who are worried about their fate under the new Constitution.

“We are going to pass that Bill so that the Provincial Administration has distinct roles.  It is my appeal to them to go out there and convince Kenyans to register as voters,” he said. Jirongo said they would support Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi if he won Jubilee presidential nomination.

The Lugari MP, however, advised Mudavadi to shift his allegiance and support Pambazuko Coalition in case he does not get the presidential ticket.