IEBC results or not, we need our country peaceful

The Jubilee campaign trail was in the coastal region and the rallying call that each politician gave was an answer to the wiper party leader Kalonzo and the opposition. The only tallying centre that is recognised constitutionally is the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

When the opposition proposes setting up a parallel tallying centre for the 2017 general election, we are looking at a situation where possible violence will erupt. The opposition fought for the IEBC commissioners to be sent home and after a series of demonstrations and court cases, the seven commissioners resigned. This was a sign of goodwill and peace for Kenya to give way for a credible election in 2017. The agenda is being set again that the new IEBC will not deliver as we expect it to.

The constitution of Kenya recognises the IEBC body and it raises questions when the opposition considers their own tallying centre. Many independent stakeholders and observers are involved during the general election and creation of another tallying centre would mean politics during the announcing of election results. The tension is rising every day with only four months to the General Election. The leaders openly blame each other on corruption scandals, the opposition claiming that the government is working tirelessly to rig the election and recent allegations by the government claiming that they are aware of the opposition’s plan to cause violence in the August polls. This is probably the reason why the President has recently graduated more policemen into the force, stating that perpetrators of violence will be dealt with.

The opposition has been discrediting every election results. It has its role as the watchdog of the government but they should also consider the fact that Kenya is bigger than the interest of few individuals. The type of political situation we have right now just shows that even if the elections were to be held today, the results would still be termed as false. Recent poll results indicating that President Uhuru is likely to be re-electe, have also been discredited by the opposition more than once by alleging them to be cooked up by people.

As we go into the elections, we expect to get credible elections and most importantly peace be upheld. The problem should be discussed by our politicians so that they can reach an agreement before time elapses and not go around on their campaign trails exchanging loose words. Before the opposition considers setting up a parallel tallying centre, they should allow IEBC to give credible, free and fair elections. When the opposition sets the agenda that the IEBC will not deliver credible elections for Kenyans, it leaves us with nowhere to turn to in order to elect our leaders.