Should political parties abandon calls for six-piece voting pattern?

(Photo: Courtesy)

Calling for six-piece-suit voting is undemocratic. The new constitution has empowered the voters and they know what they are looking for in a leader. Kenyans yearned for multi-party democracy and what we are enjoying now is quite healthy and leaders should not be pushed down their throats.

I think the ongoing backlash against six-piece voting is a clear indication that party primaries were not well managed. Had parties given people the mandate to elect their preferred leaders, they would not have panicked because of independent candidates.

Furthermore, most of the independent candidates or those in smaller parties are people who were originally in the bigger parties calling for six-piece voting, and they still share ideologies.

The independent candidates are a silent revolution in the country's politics and should not be underestimated like the big parties are doing. Over 4,000 people cannot be said to be mad to get out of the bigger parties because of mismanaged primaries. The narrative that the parties need strength in order to serve the people well should they clinch power is not correct.

Leaders who have the issues facing mwananchi at heart would break the party bondage and support what benefits mwananchi, and that is why there is provision for coalitions. If they continue calling for six piece, I foresee a situation that they will face rejection and may lose big time in the elections.

Ms Akumu is the Citizen Convention Party (CCP) Leader and Kisumu County Woman Representative aspirant.