As campaigns end, heed calls to keep the peace for smooth polls

Kenyan woman casts her vote at a mock polling station (Photo Courtesy)

Exhortations by the diplomatic corps to maintain peace during and after the August 8 general elections simply serve to reinforce what every Kenyan should be preaching. Times without number, this newspaper has reminded Kenyans of the ignominy of the post 2007 election violence in which 1300 died, over 600000 got displaced as property worth millions of shillings was destroyed, and why peace is a prerequisite for our continued co-existence.

On Tuesday, our democracy will be put to test when Kenyans queue to elect their leaders. The run-up to these elections has been tense. Accusations have been traded between the opposition and the ruling Jubilee. Caught in the middle has been the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). But despite the pressure, IEBC has shown a commitment to conduct elections that are free, fair and credible.