Peaceful election possible, but we must do the right things

There are a lot of legitimate worries about the potential for violence, including from the state, during this election season. The messiness of the party primaries does not auger well for stability — and a credible peace — as the two major political formations proved, yet again, that they are unable to organise any meaningful primaries.

From Kirinyaga to Kisumu to Nyamira, documentation from the ground including video documentation, presents a worrying picture, as citizens vented their frustrations by resorting to acts of violence including stoning vehicles and burning ballots and tires on roads. It is fine to protest peacefully, even rowdily, but stoning cars as in Kirinyaga is a step too far.

The easy resort to violence, intolerance and tension shows a frustrated, disappointed and anxious citizenry that has no trust in institutions and leaders. This should worry us, for these are party members showing deep antipathy for their own party to the point of violence! It tells us that our calm and stability is razor thin, for if we can’t trust “our own” institutions, parties and structures, then imagine what we think of those other that are not “our own!” What will we do if sufficiently angered and frustrated in August?

I still don’t get why these political formations insist on holding party primary nominations, which is not a requirement under the Constitution. If the IEBC, whose only job is managing elections every five years, is still unable to do it, how on earth do we expect parties, often quickly and recently formed, inadequately resourced, and with other objectives to do it right?

EASIER THING

Be that as it may, what is striking is how easy it is — yes easy — to deliver credible peace and stability during elections! It all depends on those concerned doing the right, and easier, thing. It depends on the IEBC, the police and the political class.

First, the IEBC should focus on transparency and honesty in this process. They need to keep us updated on their successes, but more especially on their challenges, so that we can adjust our expectations. If expectations are too high, then frustrations rise when these are unmet.

For instance, the IEBC has been showcasing the KIEMs system to some favoured “partners” including its lawyers. They need to extend that to its critics, and the public so we can interrogate the system, highlight its weaknesses and provide responses. IEBC should also explain the thinking behind doing a voter verification exercise before it has audited and “cleaned” up the register of dead voters, multiple registrations and fake names. What is the use of the audit — which should be made public, if completed, by both IEBC and KPMG? Unless there is confidence in the voter register, we will be encouraging tensions.

And importantly IEBC must move from its culture of opaqueness and secrecy — contrary to the Constitution — especially when it comes to election results. By wishing to maintain the right to secretly alter results from the ground in Nairobi, the IEBC is encouraging increased tensions, mistrust and the potential for violence, especially since this “confirmation” process takes so long.

LEGITIMATE RESPONSE

Second, the police — and this regime, too — should understand that protest is a legitimate and human response to frustrations and happiness. The police have a duty to facilitate peaceful protests and should learn that the best way to deal with a rowdy crowd is not by a fierce show of force and might, but by efforts to de-escalate tensions through dialogue. I have seen some OCSs and OCPDs do this brilliantly in the past before being ordered by higher-ups to use violence which then begets violence.

And it would be useful for both NASA and Jubilee to train their on-the-ground leaders in their strongholds on ways to manage protests by their supporters. This includes proper planning of routes, providing marshals, negotiating with the police in advance (if possible) and discouraging violence. We will all be better then.

Finally, we saw attacks against minorities and foreigners rise dramatically in post-Brexit UK and post-Trump USA precisely because of the rhetoric of hatred and intolerance in these campaigns. Our politicians can and should do better than this, and avoid hateful rhetoric.

See how easy it is to get credible peace?

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