By Caroline Rwenji
The Israeli Government has pledged to offer its assistance to Kenya in ensuring a free, fair and peaceful election process come March 4.
Israel’s ambassador to Kenya Mr Gil Haskel assured Kenyans that if sought, his government will share its over 50 years of experience to help Kenya have a non-violent poll process.
He was speaking at the Israeli Embassy where the diplomatic staff participated in the voting process ahead of the elections on January 22.
“Over the years, we have had heated elections but they are always peaceful. There has never been any violence and we would like Kenya to learn from our years of experience,” Mr Haskel said.
Only diplomatic passport holders around the world, he said, will participate in the early polls held on January 10. About 4,200 Israeli diplomatic staff voted in the 100 embassies around the world, with the first group being from New Zealand and the last people in Los Angeles due to the different time zones.
In Kenya, 18 diplomatic staff led by the ambassador and his deputy, Mr Yaki Lopez, cast their votes at their Nairobi Embassy offices. The rest of the over 500,000 Israelis in the Diaspora will have to travel back to participate in the polls.
Kenyans in the Diaspora will also have to travel back if they want to participate in determining the political future of the country. A heated debate took place last year with Kenyans living abroad seeking to vote.
