Let peace prevail in Machakos by-election

      

Machakos County residents are voting in a by-election to replace Senator Boniface Kabaka who died last December.

The race is now between Wiper candidate Agnes Kavindu and United Democratic Alliance's Urbanus Ngengele following the withdrawal of Maendeleo Chap Chap party candidate Mutua Katuku.

This is no doubt a great day for the people of Machakos. They have a chance to fill the vacuum left by Kabaka's untimely demise.

But even as they set out to fulfill their democratic duty, they must do so peacefully. They must avoid the path taken by some people which led to chaos and confusion during the recent parliamentary and ward by-elections in different parts of the country early this month.

Specifically, voters should be wary of politicians who might be out to incite them to violence or to influence their choice through bribery.

Violence, as we have said here before, has no place in democratic elections. It is barbaric and the antithesis of democracy. That said, police and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission must be vigilant to ensure that no electoral malpractices take place today, and that action is taken against anyone who may attempt to cause chaos.

We would also like to reiterate what we said ahead of the by-elections in Matungu and Kabuchai constituencies: Cast you vote for individuals and not parties.

Kenyans taking part in the voting process. [Picture, Standard]

Notably, politicians have been branding the contests as a litmus test for the 2022 presidential election. As a result voters might be deluded and end up voting for a weaker candidate just because they want to please political party heavyweights who are eyeing the presidency. Unfortunately, the voter would be the loser as they will suffer bad leadership at the county level until 2022.