Let us focus and invest heavily on free and fair elections

[Kichwa]

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I believe that if we invest heavily in the next 10 to 20 years in free and fair elections, that investment will pay more dividends than SGR or other huge infrastructure investments.  Personally I am not bothered with the tribal voting patterns because I believe that human beings will always vote their interests weather they are in the first world or the third world.  Also Kenya is blessed with tribal distribution to the extent that no single tribe can win an election on their own. Once the elections are free and fair I believe that it is up to the politicians to convince the voters that voting for them is in their interest.  The reason why most people vote for their tribes mates is the fear that they will be marginalized or finished unless their tribes mate is in power.  Free and fair elections coupled with a strong devolved system of government will slowly and surely reduce the need for tribal kingpins and this will make tribal leaders such as those who fought for 1st and the 2nd liberation more attractive.  With the help of technology, and dedication to the principal of free and fair elections, Kenyans will focus very quickly on bread and butter issues and chose leaders accordingly.

[MOON Ki]

I believe that if we invest heavily in the next 10 to 20 years in free and fair elections, that investment will pay more dividends than SGR or other huge infrastructure investments.  Personally I am not bothered with the tribal voting patterns because I believe that human beings will always vote their interests weather they are in the first world or the third world.  Also Kenya is blessed with tribal distribution to the extent that no single tribe can win an election on their own. Once the elections are free and fair I believe that it is up to the politicians to convince the voters that voting for them is in their interest.  The reason why most people vote for their tribes mates is the fear that they will be marginalized or finished unless their tribes mate is in power.  Free and fair elections coupled with a strong devolved system of government will slowly and surely reduce the need for tribal kingpins and this will make tribal leaders such as those who fought for 1st and the 2nd liberation more attractive.  With the help of technology, and dedication to the principal of free and fair elections, Kenyans will focus very quickly on bread and butter issues and chose leaders accordingly.

For all that to happen, it is not enough to focus on just the mechanics of the elections.   And even if one wishes to focus on just that, it would help to do it a bit earlier than right before the elections.

What is required, and has always been required in Kenya, is proper and sustained civic education, at all levels and covering all relevant aspects.   This was mostly recently highlighted in the Kriegler report; see, in particular Section 1.3.9 (page 47). But there has been practically zero action on what the Kriegler Commission recommended.  Neither the Opposition nor the Government has seemed particularly interested.   Why?  Because: (a) it is all about power, rather than what is actually good for the citizens and the country; and (b) it is dull, hard work that is not as entertaining or as attention-getting as the insults and nonsense that characterize Kenyan politics.

[Kichwa]

Its unfair to apportion equal blame to the opposition and the government on the failure of the mechanics of our electoral system.  The government should share the bigger portion. 

The reason why the government in particular is  not interested in solving this problem is because the people running it benefit from the inept system since its easier to manipulate. When we get a president whose votes have been stolen and knows the pain then we may see some changes.

Let it be noted for the record that CORD has been battling with IEBC for changes since Ouru was sworn in but they lacked numbers plus they  were dismissed as "sore losers", "perpetual campaigners" and told to  "focus on development"  by the Jap propaganda machinery. Is very difficult to focus the people on the next election 5 years away, immediately after you "lose" an election.  That being said, the opposition must now explain to the people very clearly why free and fair elections is important.

This is the best time to bring up the issue of the election process when the entire country is focused on the next election. I still think that opposition boycott of the 2017 elections is the most effective non-violent method to bring about peoples awareness of this problem once and for all if necessary and sufficient changes are not made to the electoral system.  The opposition should have a list of minimum changes that must be met between now and August for them to participate. 

Civic education should be on-going but the biggest impediments to educating people about elections is lack confidence in the voting system. Rigging elections is the best tool of voter suppression in the opposition strongholds like luo nyanza.  There is a youtube video where some primary school kids somewhere in luo nyanza are telling Raila, (loose translation). "come up with plan B, our parents are tired of voting and then there votes get stolen".

Even folks in developed countries can be very difficult educate when they have been subjected to a certain political reality for a long time.  In 2008 democratic primary contest, African Americans only took Obama's candidacy seriously after he won Iowa which is almost 90% white.  This is because of the long standing belief that a black man cannot become the president of the USA.

I believe that if we invest heavily in the next 10 to 20 years in free and fair elections, that investment will pay more dividends than SGR or other huge infrastructure investments.  Personally I am not bothered with the tribal voting patterns because I believe that human beings will always vote their interests weather they are in the first world or the third world.  Also Kenya is blessed with tribal distribution to the extent that no single tribe can win an election on their own. Once the elections are free and fair I believe that it is up to the politicians to convince the voters that voting for them is in their interest.  The reason why most people vote for their tribes mates is the fear that they will be marginalized or finished unless their tribes mate is in power.  Free and fair elections coupled with a strong devolved system of government will slowly and surely reduce the need for tribal kingpins and this will make tribal leaders such as those who fought for 1st and the 2nd liberation more attractive.  With the help of technology, and dedication to the principal of free and fair elections, Kenyans will focus very quickly on bread and butter issues and chose leaders accordingly.

For all that to happen, it is not enough to focus on just the mechanics of the elections.   And even if one wishes to focus on just that, it would help to do it a bit earlier than right before the elections.

What is required, and has always been required in Kenya, is proper and sustained civic education, at all levels and covering all relevant aspects.   This was mostly recently highlighted in the Kriegler report; see, in particular Section 1.3.9 (page 47). But there has been practically zero action on what the Kriegler Commission recommended.  Neither the Opposition nor the Government has seemed particularly interested.   Why?  Because: (a) it is all about power, rather than what is actually good for the citizens and the country; and (b) it is dull, hard work that is not as entertaining or as attention-getting as the insults and nonsense that characterize Kenyan politics.

[MOON Ki]

Its unfair to apportion equal blame to the opposition and the government on the failure of the mechanics of our electoral system.  The government should share the bigger portion. 

Nowhere did I apportion equal blame.    In the context of proper and sustained civic education, I did state that

Neither the Opposition nor the Government has seemed particularly interested.

If you have evidence to support the view that the Opposition has been more interested, then let's have it.  We can then discuss it in an objective manner.     
   

The reason why the government in particular is  not interested in solving this problem is because the people running it benefit from the inept system since its easier to manipulate.

True.   So, knowing all that, while it may be argued that the government is legally obliged to do the right thing, as a matter of practical realities, it does not do much good to leave it at that or to even get overly worked up on that basis.    I should also add that the role of an Opposition is not just to "oppose"; it also includes ensuring that the government does what it should do.

Let it be noted for the record that CORD has been battling with IEBC for changes since Ouru was sworn in but they lacked numbers plus they  were dismissed as "sore losers", "perpetual campaigners" and told to  "focus on development"  by the Jap propaganda machinery.

Yet the Opposition last year claim victory in their IEBC battle.    So, taking them at their own word, the reasons/excuses that you offer have never been a complete bar.     Whatever they did to ensure success last year could have been done in 2013 or 2014 or ...

This is the best time to bring up the issue of the election process when the entire country is focused on the next election.

That is how it has always been, but a major point in the Kriegler report is that that is not the how it should be, except, perhaps and to some extent, in voter registration.   And to support the Kriegler view, we have the evidence right before  us, right now: the IEBC lot that was supposed to have been gone months ago is still there, there is a whole mess in "electronic vs. manual", opening tenders for the necessary equipment has been put on hold, ... Quite the circus.   When are the elections due to be held?   

I still think that opposition boycott of the 2017 elections is the most effective non-violent method to bring about peoples awareness of this problem once and for all if necessary and sufficient changes are not made to the electoral system. 

I don't see that happening.  Even if it were to happen, this is Kenya, the victors will just sit on their victory.   Remember 2007-2008?
 

Even folks in developed countries can be very difficult educate when they have been subjected to a certain political reality for a long time.  In 2008 democratic primary contest, African Americans only took Obama's candidacy seriously after he won Iowa which is almost 90% white.  This is because of the long standing belief that a black man cannot become the president of the USA.

That could be true.  But: (a) The two countries are so different in so many ways that I don't see much value in extrapolating from the USA to Kenya when it comes to such things as civic education.  (b) "Difficult" is no excuse for not even bothering to try, especially where the need is so great.

You seem to be trying to create a narrative to the effect that a brave and noble Opposition has been working hard on doing everything it can and should do, and in a timely manner, but it has been consistently stymied by a bone-headed, power-hungry Government.   I don't see many buying such a story; so it comes dangerously close to self-delusion.   

(Note that the preceding does not mean that the Government lot has not been bone-headed and power-hungry.)

[Kichwa]

Moon ki, all I am saying is that  we can criticize everything and everybody  to death but this country needs hope and direction from all of us.   A lot of bad things have happened in 50 years of our history but we can also find a lot of  positive changes that we can build on.  I think one of those messages is to convince all Kenyans that electoral reform is in all our interest and both sides of the political divide must be part of this reform.  Its not enough to just point fingers and blame everybody.

[RV Pundit]

We've been investing heavily in this...I think we had the most expensive election in 2013 safe for Afgan UN organized elections. We are moving forward and I think elections are becoming freeier & fairer (for lack of better adjectives). Let hope this time round the machines won't fail us.

[MOON Ki]

We've been investing heavily in this...I think we had the most expensive election in 2013 safe for Afgan UN organized elections.

Was that  the year in which this happened?

A joint parliamentary committee looking into a petition seeking the removal of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission bosses from office has been told that the country lost Sh4.1 billion (37 million Euros) in the procurement of the 15,000 Biometric Voter Registrations which malfunctioned on election day.
...
Ouko said the funds lost through the mismanagement by the IEBC could have been saved had the country gone for a competitive tender.

http://x254.co/how-iebc-bosses-cost-kenya-a-sh4-1bn-loss/

Some investment!

[Kichwa]

RVP. I agree that the elections  is becoming much better and better but almost half of the country  is not yet convinced that the elections are free and fair.  Jubilee can ignore the opposition politicians in their arrogance but they should not ignore the people of Kenya that they do not represent or are not their tribesmen.  Its one thing to dismiss your political rivals and treat them with disdain but you cannot dismiss their supporters who happen to be citizens of this country and tax payers. 

Election reforms is one of those things that cannot be done unilaterally by one side no matter how sincere/smart they are because other than the mechanics, it requires building confidence and credibility in the process.  What Jubilee  needs is to do is to humble themselves a little bit and leave this matter open and  take as much time to negotiate it as necessary to build confidence and credibility.  I'd rather we delay this election and do it right rather than rush it and create another PEV.  This country deserves better and cannot afford another PEV. Kenyans are very frustrated now because of many things starting with the high cost of living, poverty, unemployment, health care system and the high cost of education just to mention a few. If the 2017 election is not done right, it will be as reckless as pouring gas on the floor and then casually lighting a cigarette.     If jubilee believe they have enough votes to win a free a fair election, then it is in their interest and everybody's to negotiate this matter. You can be tough but still open to negotiations.  Its amazing how quickly we all forget the 2007/2008 PEV.

Again, although a lot of money was thrown at IEBC a lot of it was lost in corruption and there is still a lot of room left for improvement.  We must keep on working on the mechanics of how to run free and fair elections 365 days a year 24/7 because I am convinced that it is the single most important investment that will distinguish us from other African countries, and it will pay major dividends in terms of economic growth than any other project I can think of.

We've been investing heavily in this...I think we had the most expensive election in 2013 safe for Afgan UN organized elections. We are moving forward and I think elections are becoming freeier & fairer (for lack of better adjectives). Let hope this time round the machines won't fail us.

[RV Pundit]

Any sensible person knew CORD demands were neither here or there. This country require strong leadership at times and we cannot allow Raila & CORD to play dangerous games with tight election schedule -kenya has held regular elections every year since 63. Raila had IEBC last time and he lost. What is there to negotiate? every sensible person knows you need back up of an electronic system. whatever backup is upto the IEBC.

If CORD are interested in moving this country forward - I'll be the first to support them. But they are NOT. They've shown again and again that they simply can't hack it - and to me they are trying panya route to power.

CORD should concentrate on stuff like NASA, registering votes and getting them to vote rather than trying to intimidate the country to elect them or face violence. If they attempt violence - they will lose even more terribly.

I am all for free and fair election that relies heavily on technology. The ball is on IEBC court. Last time they got some serious financial backing - but their systems collapsed after some few hours thanks small mistake in the database log files - and this year - we are spending billions to support them - I hope they don't fail again. That is no guarantee that somebody will not cry that Jubilee has rigged elections.Look at KANU in Kericho - they claim Jubilee rigged electronic vote using sijiu geometric algorithm and are now in NASA asking for election reforms.  CORD were guys calling for electronic transmission to be shut in 2013 and for IEBC to go manual...after the Jubilee took lead..random nature of reporting was maintained as you'd expect - Jubilee led both in electronic and manual tallying. It not too dissimilar to USA losers who are blaming Russia for hacking into their electronic elections

We are on the right track. Whoever loses will lose for not assembling the right tribal coalition. CORD should work with NASA and we might have close contest. As of now Jubilee are sleepwalking to another term in office..55%.
 

RVP. I agree that the elections  is becoming much better and better but almost half of the country  is not yet convinced that the elections are free and fair.  Jubilee can ignore the opposition politicians in their arrogance but they should not ignore the people of Kenya that they do not represent or are not their tribesmen.  Its one thing to dismiss your political rivals and treat them with disdain but you cannot dismiss their supporters who happen to be citizens of this country and tax payers. 

Election reforms is one of those things that cannot be done unilaterally by one side no matter how sincere/smart they are because other than the mechanics, it requires building confidence and credibility in the process.  What Jubilee  needs is to do is to humble themselves a little bit and leave this matter open and  take as much time to negotiate it as necessary to build confidence and credibility.  I'd rather we delay this election and do it right rather than rush it and create another PEV.  This country deserves better and cannot afford another PEV. Kenyans are very frustrated now because of many things starting with the high cost of living, poverty, unemployment, health care system and the high cost of education just to mention a few. If the 2017 election is not done right, it will be as reckless as pouring gas on the floor and then casually lighting a cigarette.     If jubilee believe they have enough votes to win a free a fair election, then it is in their interest and everybody's to negotiate this matter. You can be tough but still open to negotiations.  Its amazing how quickly we all forget the 2007/2008 PEV.

Again, although a lot of money was thrown at IEBC a lot of it was lost in corruption and there is still a lot of room left for improvement.  We must keep on working on the mechanics of how to run free and fair elections 365 days a year 24/7 because I am convinced that it is the single most important investment that will distinguish us from other African countries, and it will pay major dividends in terms of economic growth than any other project I can think of.

We've been investing heavily in this...I think we had the most expensive election in 2013 safe for Afgan UN organized elections. We are moving forward and I think elections are becoming freeier & fairer (for lack of better adjectives). Let hope this time round the machines won't fail us.

[Kichwa]

Your opinion of CORD or Raila is based on your narrow political interest of Ruto's presidency in 2022 and is not worth responding to.  CORD has a right to be part of the electoral reform as an opposition political party and citizens of Kenya.  Right now mass action is not the best strategic means to achieve this goal but they should continue to demand their input into the electoral process mechanism  that we all have confidence in.  This issue just like term limits, multi-party, devolution and the new Katiba will be settled in the near future. Ouru and Ruto will not be around for ever to place road blocks on every progressive change that do not benefit their narrow personal interests.

Any sensible person knew CORD demands were neither here or there. This country require strong leadership at times and we cannot allow Raila & CORD to play dangerous games with tight election schedule -kenya has held regular elections every year since 63. Raila had IEBC last time and he lost. What is there to negotiate? every sensible person knows you need back up of an electronic system. whatever backup is upto the IEBC.

If CORD are interested in moving this country forward - I'll be the first to support them. But they are NOT. They've shown again and again that they simply can't hack it - and to me they are trying panya route to power.

CORD should concentrate on stuff like NASA, registering votes and getting them to vote rather than trying to intimidate the country to elect them or face violence. If they attempt violence - they will lose even more terribly.

I am all for free and fair election that relies heavily on technology. The ball is on IEBC court. Last time they got some serious financial backing - but their systems collapsed after some few hours thanks small mistake in the database log files - and this year - we are spending billions to support them - I hope they don't fail again. That is no guarantee that somebody will not cry that Jubilee has rigged elections.Look at KANU in Kericho - they claim Jubilee rigged electronic vote using sijiu geometric algorithm and are now in NASA asking for election reforms.  CORD were guys calling for electronic transmission to be shut in 2013 and for IEBC to go manual...after the Jubilee took lead..random nature of reporting was maintained as you'd expect - Jubilee led both in electronic and manual tallying. It not too dissimilar to USA losers who are blaming Russia for hacking into their electronic elections

We are on the right track. Whoever loses will lose for not assembling the right tribal coalition. CORD should work with NASA and we might have close contest. As of now Jubilee are sleepwalking to another term in office..55%.
 

RVP. I agree that the elections  is becoming much better and better but almost half of the country  is not yet convinced that the elections are free and fair.  Jubilee can ignore the opposition politicians in their arrogance but they should not ignore the people of Kenya that they do not represent or are not their tribesmen.  Its one thing to dismiss your political rivals and treat them with disdain but you cannot dismiss their supporters who happen to be citizens of this country and tax payers. 

Election reforms is one of those things that cannot be done unilaterally by one side no matter how sincere/smart they are because other than the mechanics, it requires building confidence and credibility in the process.  What Jubilee  needs is to do is to humble themselves a little bit and leave this matter open and  take as much time to negotiate it as necessary to build confidence and credibility.  I'd rather we delay this election and do it right rather than rush it and create another PEV.  This country deserves better and cannot afford another PEV. Kenyans are very frustrated now because of many things starting with the high cost of living, poverty, unemployment, health care system and the high cost of education just to mention a few. If the 2017 election is not done right, it will be as reckless as pouring gas on the floor and then casually lighting a cigarette.     If jubilee believe they have enough votes to win a free a fair election, then it is in their interest and everybody's to negotiate this matter. You can be tough but still open to negotiations.  Its amazing how quickly we all forget the 2007/2008 PEV.

Again, although a lot of money was thrown at IEBC a lot of it was lost in corruption and there is still a lot of room left for improvement.  We must keep on working on the mechanics of how to run free and fair elections 365 days a year 24/7 because I am convinced that it is the single most important investment that will distinguish us from other African countries, and it will pay major dividends in terms of economic growth than any other project I can think of.

We've been investing heavily in this...I think we had the most expensive election in 2013 safe for Afgan UN organized elections. We are moving forward and I think elections are becoming freeier & fairer (for lack of better adjectives). Let hope this time round the machines won't fail us.

[veritas]

Free and fair elections need to have the infrastructure for free and fair elections. Kenya isn't there yet. Kenya survives on an understanding and an agreement among those in power like power sharing. Step above from absolute tyranny.

Perhaps an electoral college system in Kenya- free and fair representation- the way the USA conducts "free and fair elections" might prove to be a more affordable system.

[Gumzo]

What is required, and has always been required in Kenya, is proper and sustained civic education, at all levels and covering all relevant aspects.   This was mostly recently highlighted in the Kriegler report; see, in particular Section 1.3.9 (page 47). But there has been practically zero action on what the Kriegler Commission recommended.  Neither the Opposition nor the Government has seemed particularly interested.   Why?  Because: (a) it is all about power, rather than what is actually good for the citizens and the country; and (b) it is dull, hard work that is not as entertaining or as attention-getting as the insults and nonsense that characterize Kenyan politics.

What has all along been avoided and will always be avoided is to give voters proper civic education
This has been done all along and money set aside for civic education is deliberately spent in way that
are most in effective and leave the average voter more confused.

The idea is to ensure the voter remains stupid and voting for candidates based tribal numbers and
other such stupid criteria that ensures thieves get elected.

Respectfully;

[Kichwa]

Veritas,  Yes, Yes, we need to have a proper infrastructure for free and fair elections but that is a long process that must start Now with what we have.  Jubilee government is not going to invest in an infrastructure that will not only make them lose elections in 2017 but also in 2022 and therefore they will do anything and everything to slow that process down. CORD is out of power and cannot do it either with Jubilee's tyranny of numbers and money to bribe legislators and judges. CORD government is the only hope for building the infrastructure which you speak.  CORD must therefore find a way to win under these flawed circumstances so that they can fix the problem once and for all when they are in power. However, if CORD right now needs at least some minimum changes in the electoral law to have a chance of winning the 2017 elections.  It is my opinion that they should not just go into the elections to rubber stamp another rigged elections. Accordingly, if they believe that the minimum amendments are not made to the election laws, then they should boycott the elections and deny Jubilee the legitimacy to govern until the reforms are and we can have some semblance of free elections. Stealing with impunity needs to stop.

Free and fair elections need to have the infrastructure for free and fair elections. Kenya isn't there yet. Kenya survives on an understanding and an agreement among those in power like power sharing. Step above from absolute tyranny.

Perhaps an electoral college system in Kenya- free and fair representation- the way the USA conducts "free and fair elections" might prove to be a more affordable system.

[Kichwa]

Civic education and rigging elections are two different things and one does not effect the other.  You can have all the civic education you can give and still have rigged elections. I believe people will be very receptive to civic education if they have confidence in the voting system otherwise you the cynicism and voter apathy will not make it possible for the civic education to take place.  People say things like "why should I vote if the vote is going to be stolen'.

What is required, and has always been required in Kenya, is proper and sustained civic education, at all levels and covering all relevant aspects.   This was mostly recently highlighted in the Kriegler report; see, in particular Section 1.3.9 (page 47). But there has been practically zero action on what the Kriegler Commission recommended.  Neither the Opposition nor the Government has seemed particularly interested.   Why?  Because: (a) it is all about power, rather than what is actually good for the citizens and the country; and (b) it is dull, hard work that is not as entertaining or as attention-getting as the insults and nonsense that characterize Kenyan politics.

What has all along been avoided and will always be avoided is to give voters proper civic education
This has been done all along and money set aside for civic education is deliberately spent in way that
are most in effective and leave the average voter more confused.

The idea is to ensure the voter remains stupid and voting for candidates based tribal numbers and
other such stupid criteria that ensures thieves get elected.

Respectfully;