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Ensure peace in Masaba elections

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Published on Sunday, 27 November 2011 13:43

Today, Kitutu Masaba residents would be queuing to elect a leader to represent them in Parliament and one who would pursue their development agenda.

Even as the voters stream into the voting stations, they should remember that leaders come and go but Kenya remains. Thus it is important that they let conscience to lead them as they head to the polling stations to make the decision.

They should avoid temptation of being ‘bought’ to vote in an undeserving leader. A patriotic voter would reject all manner of material or psychological last minute influence to choose the wrong leader.

Kitutu Masaba voters should make wise decisions by voting in a person who would prove he cannot be absorbed by the current system but can change it for better.

It is high time we elected leaders who demonstrate will to fight corruption, pay tax and one who is able to stand firm in the august House to fight for and represent the people of Kitutu Masaba altruistically. It is also the right time voters realised Kitutu Masaba is crying for serious and positive changes.

Hopefully, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has sensitised voters on the ballot marks to avoid confusion. This would also reduce the number of spoilt votes.

It is also important IEBC places disinterested persons at the stations to direct the illiterate voters. This enormous duty should not be left to people with interests such as party officials or observers.

I wish Kitutu Masaba voters a fair and free exercise.

{Douglas Mageto, Kisii}

I congratulate residents of Kitutu Masaba constituency for maintaining peace in the just-concluded by-election campaigns. I hope this will be the same case during the election, tallying and release of the results.

It was interesting to see an aspirant after another address voters without incidents of incitement or violence. This was a lesson to Kenyan voters that they can peacefully listen to various candidates as they articulate their development agenda yet without incidents of violence, booing, heckling or hooliganism.

Unlike the South Mugirango by-election in June, last year, which was marked by isolated cases of intimidation and violence, the Kitutu Masaba campaigns provided a peaceful rehearsal ground for leading presidential candidates in next year’s General Election.

The media, also, deserves plaudits for giving candidates fair, equal and unbiased coverage throughout the campaign period.

Save for the last minute allegations of voter bribery at the weekend, generally, the campaigns were exemplary. However, the claims should serve as acid test for the newly established IEBC.

Kenyans would love to see how the new body treats such cases as we approach the general election.

Much as the commission is burning the midnight oil to ensure votes are cast electronically for increased transparency and enhanced democracy, actions needs to be taken against those who engage in any election malpractice.

Vote buying, for instance, alienates many voters’ right to vote. Previous incidents of voter bribery show certain candidates take advantage of poverty to buy votes.

Party agents of some candidates, who camp outside polling stations with the intention of buying votes even on the election day, must be arrested and prosecuted. The commission must introduce harsh penalties for those found guilty.

My humble plea to Abagetutu (people of Kitutu) is; let them demonstrate the same level of maturity they did in campaigns.

Let them choose a leader who is going to serve them irrespective of clan or party affiliation. Let them vote in somebody who will champion for their rights and benefits in equal measure.

{Fred Makana, Nairobi}

IEBC should use the ongoing party elections to send a warning to leaders over tough action that would be taken against violence. Kenyans should also learn how to undertake elections peacefully.