Assure Kenyans of smooth 2017 elections

The panel to interview and nominate electoral commissioners is fully constituted, sworn in and ready to work. The ball, as it were, is now in the court of the panelists. Kenyans expect nothing less than a seamless flow of events up to the polling date. Too much pushing and shoving has dominated the road to 2017 General Election. It is very possible that a lot of Kenyans have been fatigued by the sideshows and real issues around the electoral process, long before the actual electioneering exercise started. But now there is hope that free and fair elections would be held on August 8, 2017. With only about ten months to the elections, crucial sectors of the country’s economy need the assurance that the 2017 contest won’t jolt businesses.

In a democratic society, the General Election must not necessarily disrupt a nation’s growth. Kenyans will need to be constantly reminded that everything is running smoothly at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The recent goings on at the commission this year will not help cool the palpable apprehension ahead of the big battle. Already, next year’s presidential contest is billed as one of the most competitive in recent history. The contestants and their supporters need to be assured of fairness and transparency.