Most Wiper county officials not computer literate
Some of the Wiper party officials at the conference held at Wida Highway Motel in Kikuyu, Kiambu County. It was revealed that most of them were not computer literate. They were advised to acquire computer and Internet skills. PHOTO | ANNE MACHARIA
What you need to know:
- During a two-day conference in Kikuyu, it was revealed that most of the county officials were not computer literate.
- Most of the officials did not have email accounts or knowledge on how to operate them.
- The party would continue communicating with them through SMS text until they acquired skills to communicate digitally.
Officials of the Kalonzo-led Wiper Democratic Movement were Saturday meeting to strategize for the 2017 general elections.
During a two day conference held at the Wida Highway Motel in Kikuyu, Kiambu County, it was revealed that most of the county officials were not computer literate.
The officials were directed to go back to school and ensure they were computer literate, as a strategy of uplifting the party standards and its appeal to Kenyans.
This would enable them to compete on a digital platform with other parties during the 2017 general elections.
The party’s Executive Director Brigadier Henry Kiprono was shocked that most of the officials did not have email accounts or knowledge on how to operate them.
USING SMS TEXT
“We will continue communicating through SMS text until you equip yourselves with skills to communicate digitally, because as a party we plan to have offices throughout the county with Internet connection and an email for every region as the new party’s communication plan,” he said.
The officials were meeting to plan on how they would have a greater influence in the 2017 general elections.
The conference attended by the party’s 47 county coordinators and national officials discussed issues of mobilisation of party followers, communication, recruitment of youth and women, party structures and nationwide recruitment.
Mr Kiprono said the party would recruit members right from the grassroots.
The Wiper officials, however, denied that the conference was to plan for and collect signatures from Kenyans in support of the referendum proposed by Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) of which Wiper was an affiliate party.
NOT DISCUSSING REFERENDUM
“We are not discussing the referendum but we have met here to discuss purely party issues,” said Mr Kiprono.
He also maintained that Wiper was still in Cord, and there was no need to delve into questions of the Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka going for the presidential seat.
During the conference dubbed ‘National Co-ordinators Training on Leadership and Campaign Academy’, the party county coordinators were informed of their roles in their various counties.
The conference was also used for planning for the National Delegates Conference to be held in August 2014.
“Wiper has a national outlook and we encourage more people to become members as it is the party to fight graft in this country and equal opportunities for all Kenyans,” Wiper party Kiambu County Coordinator Andrew Karanja said.
Mr Karanja expressed optimism that Wiper or the coalition it would be affiliated to would win in the 2017 elections.
