CIC warns of threats

By Edwin Cheserek

The Commission for Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) has put male aspirants on the spot for intimidating their female opponents.

Peter Wanyande, a CIC commissioner said male politicians were known to be using scare mongering and threats to violence as tactics to cow women.

He urged victims to report such people to authorities and continue fighting for their rights as they were protected by the constitution.

“Women have a democratic right to contest for any elective seat created under the constitution without fear of intimidation,” said Prof Wanyande.

He called for a speedy civic education programme.

“It is our great desire to ensure that the general public is sensitised to understand what the electoral laws require of every candidate, come the next polls,” he said.

Prof Wanyande spoke recently at a forum in Eldoret convened to engage the media on the forthcoming elections. He said there was need to address the issue and added that it could undermine gains made since promulgation of the Constitution.

Mass defections

Meanwhile, the United Republican Party (URP) will form a pre-election pact with some parties as it prepares for the General Elections.

A party strategist, Kipchumba Murkomen, disclosed that URP was working on a pre-election pact with like-minded parties he did not name.

Mr Murkomen, who is an Elgeyo Marakwet senatorial aspirant, said plans were at an advanced stage to formulate agreements to beat the deadline.

“Time is running out for our party. This is why we are working round the clock to ensure we put in place proper mechanisms ahead of the historic elections,” he said.

He said the party has constituted a team of leaders currently working on possible alliances to ensure it forms the next government.

Mr Murkomen announced the strategy recently during a rally at Kapcherop trading centre. He assured those in attendance that democracy will prevail in the party.

“URP is working towards consolidating its support in the Rift Valley counties to have a strong bargaining power with other major parties,” he said.

He predicted mass defections to URP from other parties before November and said the party was ready to accommodate the defectors.

Recently, Sotik MP, Joyce Laboso switched allegiance to URP and was received by its leader, William Ruto.

“We are more than willing to welcome individuals who wish to join us at their own volition because we believe in democracy,” said Mr Murkomen.

The law requires that political parties willing to work in a coalition arrangement should prepare and submit their agreements the registrar of parties.

At the same time, Mr Murkomen said there would be no direct nominations for anyone. He said everyone will be accorded equal opportunity to compete favourably in the URP primaries.

He pointed out that giving some candidates undue advantage over others would not only undermine democracy but also create suspicion and mistrust from others.

Informed decisions

He said URP is courting teachers’ support across the 47 Counties to help the party mobilise substantial numbers to form the next government.

He told more 250 teachers from Kapcherop division that the party would initiate community colleges to offer capacity building.

County representative aspirant and former boundaries commissioner, Irene Masit and Marakwet West constituency aspirant, Richard Chemweno attended.

Mr Chemweno warned those who have declared interest in Marakwet West constituency seat on URP ticket to brace for a bruising battle.

“I am firmly in the race. This is like a athletics where the fastest runner receives a bounty of five years in Parliament before another sporting activity is conducted,” he said.

Ms Masit said URP is the party to beat come the next General Election. She asked the people to make informed decisions when picking leaders.