Election Observation Group (ELOG) members during a press conference
Election Observation Group (ELOG), has called upon the Political Leaders and Kenyans to ensure credible, Peaceful, Free, and Fair Elections 2022.
Today members have called for peaceful 2022 elections. ELOG is made up of civil society organizations and faith-based organizations.
Political parties are set to conduct nominations from 16th to 22nd April 2022. Our Observations and reports over the years indicate that party primaries have been shambolic. We call for Credible party primaries since they are a precursor towards a peaceful election. Affirmative actions should also be allowed by political parties. Party primaries should also allow free and fair elections free from violence or Bribery.
”We also call on all social media users to be responsible and avoid spreading hate through the propagation of fake and provocative information. We further urge the communication authority, security, and other relevant agencies to flag out social media handles and persons who spew hate speech.” Said Anne W. Ireri chairperson, steering committee Peace panel.
Political alignment should also avoid the use of insensitive language for it may stir a wave of violence.
Electoral legal and administrative policies and performance. Some of the laws should be amended before elections like the party primary bill, special interest amendment bill.
The IEBC up to now lacks substantive staffing like the CEO absence which causes an alert on matters of the whole exercise. The voter law registration witnessed only proves voter apathy due to various reasons like unfair elections, poor service delivery, and corruption among leaders.
ELOG is also concerned about the rise of cases like hate speech, incitement by, few political leaders. Every Kenyan has been urged to be responsible to ensure a peaceful, credible and fair election free from violence.
Transparency in the Electoral process is paramount and IEBC must keep the public informed about every activity it is undertaking, to avoid suspicion and mistrust. It is recommended that the commission strengthen its public communication and stakeholder outreach structures.
Jimi Wanjigi (right) before presented his presidential bid to ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna at Chungwa House in Nairobi on August 27, 2021/ PHOTO COURTESY
ODM’s Central Committee yesterday threatened to take disciplinary action against members purporting to open branch offices without consultations with the national office.
The committee said it had received alarming reports over the opening of offices across the country perhaps in reference to businessman Jimi Wanjigi’s move.
“We wish to remind all members that whenever there is a need to open any party office, the same must be done in consultation with the national office failure to which such offices will not be recognized,” said ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna in a statement.
“Further note that such brazen violation of the party’s rule will attract disciplinary action,” read the statement.
Wanjigi began opening party offices in Mt Kenya two months ago after he declared interest in the presidential contest.
The statement comes days after the Registrar of Political Parties (RPP) acknowledged receiving a letter from Wanjigi, seeking that the party outlines the presidential nomination process. A month ago, the businessman wrote to the party demanding certified list of party delegates who are to attend the National Delegates Convention.
He also sought to know the timelines to the delegates conference and whether there are intentions to have any activities, including televised party presidential debates.
The Central Committee urged party leaders at the grassroots and members to retreat to their respective areas to coordinate and support voter registration.
It resolved to extend free membership registration for ordinary members that was expected to expire on September 30 to December 31.
“On the upcoming mass voter registration, we would like to call upon the electoral commission to deploy sufficient resources human and material in order for the exercise to be successful,” said the statement.
Out of the seven million targeted new voters, the party said more than half were in its traditional strongholds.
Hon Halima Daro aspiring Women Representative, Marsabit County in a past event / PHOTO COURTESY
It’s a political season time and politicians are aligning to get the numbers for the coming 2022 elections. Halima Daro a young, visionary and vibrant leader from the minority group of the Burji Community in Marsabit County, Isiolo Girls alumni with a degree in Human Rights and Law from recognized Universities.
Halima was among the seven contestants during the 2007 elections where she was the only woman contesting for MP seat emerging number 5 out of 8 using the free ticket offered by Chama Cha Mwananchi led by Koigi Wamwere, a ticket given because of the human rights activism standing for the minority groups.
She resigned as the deputy secretary-general of the Social Democratic Party of Kenya (SDP) of Mwandawiro Mghanga and joined the ODM caravan in 2013 but didn’t vie for any seat but only to campaign for the Chungwa House party- ODM only to campaign for Honorable Raila Amollo Odinga among the minority groups as she terming it the true house for the sidelined. “Mimi ni mtu wa ODM na hii ndo Nyumba yetu sisi wanyonge” Said Hon Daro . Daro applauding the virtually voter registration growth since 2007 among the Burji Community as the Borana is the majority. The community recommends the marrying of more than 1 wife for the purpose of multiplication of the minority group to achieve the highest population. They’re commonly known as the Kikuyu’s of Marsabit because of the hardworking in improving the economy of the county.
Hon Halima Daro aspiring Women Representative, Marsabit County/ PHOTO COURTESY
The community adversary contributes greatly to the economic growth of Marsabit. Burji are a prayerful people, the society enjoys the hardworking and unity amongst. They grow crops such as Cassava, maize, beans among other medicinal crops such as the Moringa tree which cures several diseases.
Hon Daro held a Team Leader role and she was a key player in The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission ( TJRC) of Kenya in Marsabit County, a the commission which was established in 2008 not only by liberation struggles but also by ethnic conflicts, semi-despotic regimes, marginalization and political violence, including the coup d’état of 1982, the Shifta War, and the 2007 Post-election violence
She narrates how they went through hardships but to deliver for the people in the marginalized groups. ” Tunabeba maziwa in the process tukiona mtu ako na Shida tunamsaidia, water is a problem in Marsabit” Said Hon Halima.
She urges the Marsabit County government to intervene and help people to get water, people go through hardships to get water for domestic uses by use of Donkeys and she blames the leadership at the county levels. ” Our leaders wanatutesa they don’t understand we people,” Said Hon Halima Daro. However, maintained that leaders to be responsible for handling the current security situations through uniting and coming together and preaching peace as the country is heading the General elections 2022. “ Serikali Ina mkono mrefu, the government engage the community leaders, maskini wanaumia , please come together and promote Peace” Said Hon Daro.
The Burji Community always shows up to assist each other when the need arises. They support each other as they’re entitled to social amenities but has put emphasis on job creations and placements where she feels Hon Raila Odinga as the president he will be able to create the opportunities. Hon Daro, is a member of the National victims and survivors network, Marsabit County Monitor at refugee consortium of Kenya and also served as ODM disciplinary committee and she currently serves a powerful post as a member of the National Executive Council/Committee (NEC) of ODM and Secretary for Special Interest Groups, however, she doesn’t support Upya movement, that was formed by northern Kenya leaders to champion for interests of the region, will now be a political party as she feels the new formation is not all-inclusive.
Hon Halima Daro aspiring Women Representative, Marsabit County/ PHOTO COURTESY
The ODM activist holding a Degree in Human Rights, She’s developed the interest contesting for the Women Representative County government for Marsabit County. Halima Raila as commonly referred to in Marsabit county has extolled the virtues of Raila Odinga and she is the foot soldier of Raila who believes he has the impactful agendas for bringing equality in politics and the youths plans and jobs creations and fighting for the growth of Women and Youths.
Halima Raila, the true Baba supporter has urged the Marsabit residents to note that The Burji girl is now active in politics and she believes that Odinga (Baba) being the president has the people’s agendas in line.
