Kenya’s March 4th election will usher in a new constitutional dispensation that is expected to reorganize the way the country is governed. The country’s historical elections have attracted interest across the region. Kenya traditionally serves as a gateway to the region and any instability is analogous to shutting the gates to parts of Central Africa. The aftershocks of the 2007/08 bungled elections are also evident in the current electoral contest through charges facing some candidates at the International Criminal Court.

It is imperative that respective candidates seeking elective positions and voters conduct themselves with decorum, uphold peace, put the interest of the entire country at heart and shun activities that will negate the gains achieved since the 2007-2008 Post Election Violence that left more than 1,000 people dead and around 300,000 displaced.

Campaign machines, the Independent Elections and Boundary Commission (IEBC) the Judiciary and the security apparatus will be on the spot during the elections. All organs of State charged with responsibility to midwife the birth of a new Kenyan must be beyond reproach. The IEBC should avoid the mistakes committed by the now defunct Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) and assert itself as an institution to be trusted through upholding free and fair elections. 

The March 4th vote will enable voters to choose their County Representative, MP, Women Representative, Governor and President. Individual Kenyans have an opportunity, to choose the direction they would wish the country to take through the ballot. Get out early and vote in a new Kenya.