Good morning fellow Kenyans,
What a week of shame it has been!
The IEBC on Thursday held seven by-elections in some parts of the country where residents of five wards and two constituencies were given an opportunity to elect their leaders of choice following the deaths of their former representatives.
From the onset, the two constituencies and some wards were approached in a disgusting do or die manner, by various political players who were determined to have their parties win by all means.
The hallmark of this insane act manifested itself during the voting day when a series of activities spelt doom for the future of democracy in Kenya.
While campaigns and elections day requires vigour and strategy by candidates owing to Kenya’s political landscape, the ultimate goal should never deviate from giving ordinary citizens an opportunity to elect leaders of choice.
It is a shame that politicians stormed polling stations, roughed up IEBC officials and even physically assaulted them.
It is unpalatable that female IEBC officials were insulted publicly, frogmarched and put under duress just for a political goal.
It is a shame that voter bribery took centre stage of the mini-polls to an extent of politicians hawking Kshs2m at a polling station in the name of guarding their votes.
We must stand against these vices. There is no reason to celebrate the victory of our preferred candidates when our democracy is on trial. SHAME ON THEM!
That aside, here are our top stories today:
Ruto MPs Make U-turn to Starve Jubilee of Cash
Tough-talking MPs allied to Deputy President William Ruto quietly rescinded their decision to stop their monthly contribution to Jubilee Party, the Star has established.
The move was triggered by fears that President Uhuru Kenyatta could move to crack the whip, expel the MPs and throw them into a difficult legal battle to save their seats, months to a General Election.
Ruto’s UDA Party Beaten As Wetang’ula’s Party Wins Kabuchai
Ford Kenya Party leader Moses Wetang’ula earned the bragging rights after his candidate emerged victorious in the just concluded by-elections in Kabuchai.
Ford Kenya candidate Simiyu Majimbo Kalasinga trounced his competitors after garnering 65 per cent of the votes while his closest challenger Masinde Evans Kaikai of the UDA Party managed only 22 per cent of the total votes.
Kalasinga got 19,274 votes emerging as the winner of the by-election and was followed at a distant second by Masinde Kaikai who got 6, 455 votes.
We’ll Bar Politicians in Breach of Peace From 2022 Vote
The very fact that a leader can slap a public servant is not just a slap in the face of the public servant but of all Kenyans. We cannot tolerate this anymore and as a nation, and a commission, we must take a stand.
The list of wrongs today is too long and too depressing. But we must rise to the occasion. We as the NCIC are calling for a multi-agency approach – where our partners the police and the DCI will move swiftly to arrest the perpetrators of violence. This is not business as usual. We must defend our nation and her peace tooth and nail.