The 4th of March 2013 goes into the records of Kenya, not just like any other Monday, but a day Kenyans decided to choose their 4th President in peace, amid tensions and fear of a repeat of the 2007 election violence. For many voters the day started early with some leaving their houses as early as 4am and getting surprised to find others already present, all forming long queues even before the 6.00am official start of voting.
One thing about the National Elections in Kenya, 2013, is that there was heightened hope that the voting process would be smooth with the use of the bio electronic voter register. However, only the early birds were able to return home in a few hours after voting, as the late comers found extremely long queues. This translated into some people queuing for up to ten hours in either chilly mornings or sunny afternoons or late evenings amidst the hunger and thirst of the day. This in itself showed the commitment that the Kenyans had as many had vowed to vote.
As a result, the sick, the aged and the maimed brought on wheelchairs were ready to exercise their rights. Fair enough, the system facilitated those who were sick or old and nursing mothers to vote first and return home without waiting in the long queues.
According to Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) 86 per cent voter turnout was registered, marking the highest turn out in Kenya’s history. At the same time the exercise was unique. There were six forms to be filled for the voting exercise as all Kenyans were voting for the positions of the President, Governor, Senator, and Women’s Representative in the national assembly, Member of the national assembly and Country assembly representative. This was a taxing job especially for the old and those with less education.
The previous elections of 2007/2008 are still fresh in the mind as the country went through a terrible bloodbath following the contentions of the presidential elections. As a result there was fear that Kenyans could have a repeat this year. However, different churches, NGOs and people of good will all preached peace and called people to responsible coexistence prior to and after the elections. Amazingly, prayer crusades were held and people fasted and prayed as nobody would have imagined seeing the atrocities that were carried out in the previous electioneering periods. Thanks be to God all heeded the call for Peace. There might have been a few hitches in very few places, but generally the elections were peaceful throughout the country. Today Kenyans are proud that all things are possible and the words of the National Anthem: “Na tuijenga taifa letu eh ndio wajibu wetu..tuungane mikono pamoja kazini kila siku tuwe na shukrani” (Let all with one accord, in common bond united, build this our nation together, … the fruit of our labour, fill every heart with thanksgiving). are real and more meaningful as we look back to the events of the last two months now.
As the people of this beautiful land, we are grateful to God for the many blessings bestowed on this land: from the way the judiciary handled the disputed elections allowing the dissatisfied candidate to bring his case to court, to the declaration of the Presidential elect as the rightful winner of the presidential ballot and he was sworn in during a colourful event etc. For sure the attendance at the inauguration of the President shows the support of African countries all the way from Egypt to South Africa as they attended in style.
Having won the election with 51 per cent of the vote, the indication is that there were many whose wishes were not fulfilled and hence the greatest task the new President and Deputy President have is to unite Kenyans. We all know that many have been divided along tribal lines for decades and this is also exacerbated by politics and now needs to be brought to rest. With united efforts all Kenyans can become one nation and say never again to violence.
We believe that we all have a responsibility for peaceful co-existence. Hence, our prayer and hope is that, as Kenyans united in choosing peace, all people will put their best foot forward to heal the divisions of distrust and embrace development in all sectors of life. The new constitution is an added advantage for the common citizen as it has laid checks for the politicians who in the past made laws that suited themselves while ignoring the plight of the poor and marginalised minority.
Rose Macharia rsm
Kenyan Province
