Elections in Kenya as it is in many parts of Africa have become a do-or die matter. Politicians want to win power by all means, so they use violence and other means like vote rigging to get or stay in power. This is affecting the country’s democracy. Something needs to be done and fast.
Elections have a history of flaring up existing tensions in Kenya, most notably in 2007. Some 1,200 people died and more than 500,000 fled homes in the violence that followed the disputed elections.
If no urgent measures are taken to hold politicians accountable, there’s a high likelihood of a pre-election and post-election violence in 2027. The recent mini polls – by-elections, gave some strong signals.
For the future of our democracy, Kenyans must reject political violence and build a civic life rooted in dignity for all. People should be careful and responsible with their political sentiments to avoid a repeat of violence – competition and rivalry should not raise violence.
Political leaders must not feed on the division and instead make responsible choices and reforms that can protect national security and ensure free and fair election.
Crucially, some laws need to be urgently effected. The 2010 Constitution contains a progressive Bill of Rights that provides effective mechanisms for enforcement of fundamental rights and freedoms including protection of the right to life, personal liberty, inhuman treatment or degrading punishment or other treatment and against arbitrary search or entry.
The Bill of Rights seeks to ensure secure protection of the law, freedoms of expression, freedom of assembly, association and movement.
Noteworthy, Kenya signed the domestication of the International Criminal Court meant to create an international crimes division at the high court. Everything must be done to ensure the country fulfills the commitment and obligation.
Also, Kenya is a signatory to the international convention for the protection of all people against torture. There is need to seal loopholes used by the political to misuse the police force to silence civil society and dissenters.
Another one is the access to Information Act, whereby the security agencies need to be compelled to give information on cases of enforced disappearances and torture as they hide behind the guise that they cannot share information that is likely to ‘jeopardise national security’ which in turn perpetuates politically instigated police brutality, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests to silence civil society and suppress dissent.
Kenyans must take seriously warnings of election violence and take action including enactment and implementation of requisite laws to stop country’s history of election violence from repeating itself.