As 2017 beckons, Kenyans should prove that indeed, they have come of age. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has set August 8th, 2017 as the election date for the much awaited General Elections. In Kenya, we have a cycle that comes in after every five years. It's the day, Kenyans from all walks of life decide whom they want to choose to represent them through General Elections, under their Universal rights of Adult suffrage.
Known to some or all, it's also a defining moment, you could argue, it's the day Kenya has a date with destiny. The IEBC has declared the date for the 2017 elections and preparations are already in earnest.
Kenyans will be deluged by a daily retinue of allegations and counter allegations centred around purported claims of rigging and all other manner of machinations. Already some are pointing fingers and raising political temperatures ahead of the 2017 elections.
But be as that may, Kenyans need not allow themselves to be sucked into this hopeless vortex of blame games and rumours, for they need to exercise their rights and choose wisely.
By now, the Kenyan Electorate should be familiar with the kind of political class that we have in this country. There are those who invoke tribal persuasions while cloaked in the thick fog of nationalism and there will be, men and women of valour whose only enticement to join politics will be to serve Kenyans diligently.
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Meritocracy, honesty, truthfulness and the yearning to serve Kenyans should be the guiding planks of how we vote on August 8th, 2017. Anything short of that, will continue to suck us into the morass of tribalism, negative ethnicity and the social ills that continue to bedevil Kenya as a country.
Among the many aspirants that will seek votes, will be those who will promise all sorts of things-dangling huge promises and will do a runner or spirit away in a huff as soon as they are elected to office.
Others will be political dead beats looking for renewal and they will dish out huge wads of cash and make many rhetorical promises.
The peace and tranquillity that Kenyans enjoy should be safeguarded at all costs, that's why I welcome IEBC Chair's assertation that anybody who promotes violence, will be barred from contesting.
On that penultimate day of August 7th 2017, let us Kenyans prove that indeed we have learnt from our past and conduct peaceful elections that preclude any form of violence.
Politicians from across the political divide should learn to shun violence, tribal bile and any form of actions that would cause disaffection among peace loving Kenyans. I hope August 7th 2017 will be that day.
