For the country’s sake, please turn up and vote on October 26

Ballot papers that arrived from Dubai are received at JKIA on October 21, 2017. The President has appealed to Kenyans to vote in the repeat poll. PHOTO | FRANCIS NDERITU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The judges, the IEBC and international observers have stated that elections can take place later this week.
  • These elections have become more than an opportunity to express one’s opinion on any particular candidate.

It is often said that the perfect is the enemy of the good.

Meaning that completing a task could be made impossible if one waits for perfection.

Elections and democracy are not perfect, but they are tools for good.

BOYCOTT
If we cancelled any election around the world that was not perfectly enacted and tabulated then we might still be waiting for the first ever democratic poll, and colonialists and autocrats would still hold sway over our lives, running affairs by personal fiat rather than for the good of the people.

The upcoming presidential election, like the August 8 one, will not be perfect.

There will be challenges and irregularities, but the voice and will of the people will be heard, and that is a very good thing.

Unfortunately, some are trying to prevent Kenyan voices from being heard and stand in opposition to democracy, the rule of law and our Constitution.

RULING

Even the Supreme Court, with which I have had disagreement, has instructed that the election take place.

After the court annulled the previous election, Nasa principals acclaimed the decision and saluted the judges.

The same justices ruled that the election be held on October 26, so one can’t fully endorse a decision and then ignore half of it.

I disagreed vehemently with the decision but have accepted the ruling.

The judges, the IEBC and international observers have stated that elections can take place later this week, as there is no legal, constitutional or ethical barrier.

DEMOCRACY
Some of my opponents have tried to steal the voice of the people and ensure election does not take place.

They will fail because Kenyans have fought too hard to establish and enshrine democracy and free and fair elections in our political tradition.

They will fail because they seek to make themselves more important than the average Kenyan, who is our employer.

I believe in democracy and subjugating my personal political career to the will of ordinary Kenyans so much that I will do something that no one in the lead-up to the election would ever do.

ELECTION

I call on every Kenyan, and especially those who will vote for one of my opponents, to exercise their democratic right on Thursday.

Every Kenyan who votes will send a message far greater than who they would like to see reside in State House.

Their mark on the ballot box will be a statement that our hard-fought battles freeing our people from colonialism and autocracy means something.

I will applaud every vote as a precious gift that our forefathers bestowed on us, even if it is marked for one of my opponents.

CAMPAIGN

If we were not able to hold elections then we would provide succour to those who wish to turn us backwards.

I am delighted that all of those who took part in the last election will be on the ballot paper to allow for every Kenyan to choose the candidate they see as most fitting to be the next president.

If a candidate doesn’t wish to campaign that is their individual right.

However, no one has a right to deprive 19 million other Kenyans of their God-given right to decide who should rule their country.

INTIMIDATION
These elections have become more than an opportunity to express one’s opinion on any particular candidate, but a plebiscite for Kenyans to show whether we want to continue along the path of greater rule of law, democracy, liberty and freedom.

There is an old Kenyan saying: “A man who uses force is afraid of reasoning.”

I cannot and will not force anyone to vote on Thursday, but I will ensure that anyone who wishes to vote will be able to do so.

My opponent wants to use force because he can no longer reason with the people of Kenya.

The voices of Kenyans, regardless of tribe, county or background, are precious to me, and that is why I appeal to you to decide for yourselves who you wish to serve you for the next five years.

Vote for me, or one of my opponents, but for Kenya’s sake, please vote.

Mr Kenyatta is the President of Kenya