Three hours, the average time it took most people to vote. Thirty degrees; the scorching heat that graced us that election on Monday.
Long and winding; the queues that thronged the polling stations. Resolve; the determination that most Kenyans embraced in exercising their democratic right to elect their leaders. You see, Kenyans have come of age. No amount of frustration and obstacles could hinder them from determining their destiny and choosing their rightful path this past week. The people have played their part beyond expectation. So virtuous has everyone been, embracing patience with minimal if any complaint. For as uncomfortable as the wait of the electoral outcome has been, people have maintained sanity and calm. I salute the Kenyan people.
Having acknowledged the impeccable role of Kenyans in this election, it’s only prudent to share emerging concerns over the overall management of the process. Allow me to do this through a set of questions. How is it that majority of the electronic voter identification devices didn’t work? Why did the electronic transmission of results systemically fail? Why were there insufficient personnel to guide voters at the polling stations?
Why was high voter turnout not anticipated and planned for? What happened to the server storing the tallies? Were the two electoral staff who were arrested responsible for the delays? Are the final results that will be announced kosher within palatable levels?
When all is said and done, many must be wondering whether the IEBC will pat itself on the back for a job well done or acknowledge that it could have prepared better and communicated more openly and frequently. I implore utmost integrity and accountability from IEBC even after the final results are announced.
Yet an election is not only about the electorate and IEBC. It also involves politicians, media, pollsters, civil society and the security apparatus among others. It’s a truism that media plays an indisputable role in enhancing democracy and ensuring free and fair elections.
While immense blame was laid on media for the post-election violence, the timidity with which they seem to be handling the truth this time round is disheartening. For it’s one thing to report inflammatory statements, untruths and exaggerations. It’s a totally different thing to hoard facts. Whichever way things go, it’s imperative for media to share these facts with the populace. I ask media to reignite its watchdog role to protect our political democracy.
The politicians have by far and large behaved acceptably in public. However, what they do in private matters more. That they don’t fiddle with the electoral process to force the outcome to their favour is the depiction of utmost leadership.
It seems that some of our leaders are still caught in the time warp that embraces the notion that power is never given but always taken and eventually hoarded. I pray that we shall one day be blessed with selfless leaders who put country and people first. I fear that this won’t happen in our lifetime. And as we all play our role, civil society must continuously be the voice of the voiceless and the eye and ear of the electorate. A patient people need a vigilant civil society just as they deserve a well prepared security apparatus. I trust that the two will not let us down.
Ultimately we must all salute the determination and patience of the Kenyan people. This collective resolve mustn’t be taken lightly.
Not by IEBC, nor the politicians and other stakeholders. It must be acknowledged, celebrated, respected and most importantly repaid with utmost integrity and transparency. In closing, I share with you a poem that states; “There is no chance, no destiny, and no fate that can circumvent, hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul. Gifts count for nothing; will alone is great. Why even death stands still and waits an hour for such great will.” This Sunday remember that where there is a will, there is always a way!
The writer is the founder and CEO of Infotrak Research and Consulting
