Embrace Reforms

Kibaki has said Kenyans should embrace electoral reforms to ensure that the next general elections are held in a peaceful and tolerant environment.

“Let us discuss freely what needs to be done before the next elections. But let us also not focus too much on the past but on the future and what needs to be done before we hold another general election,” Kibaki said.

Speaking during the official opening of the National Conference on Electoral reforms at Kenyatta International Conference Centre on Wednesday, President Kibaki said that Kenyans must enjoy the freedom to seek any office in the land and elect office bearers without intimidation.

The Head of State termed the conference an exceptional occasion for all stakeholders in the country and invited international experts to share and develop consensus on the best way to strength the country’s electoral process and its institutions.

The President said that the task ahead of the nation is enormous and urged the experts from India, Canada, Ghana and South Africa attending the forum to share their valuable experiences from their countries in managing elections as Kenya seeks to consolidate its democracy.

“This conference marks a milestone in our journey to strengthen our political process, especially our electoral system, including the electoral institutions and processes. The objective being to enhance public confidence and trust, and thereby guarantee public acceptability of electoral outcome even when they are far from favorable to a particular group or persons.”

President Kibaki said the last general election was conducted in a polluted atmosphere with political intolerance, ethnicity sensational media coverage as well as irresponsible and inciting utterances by political leaders.

“In this regard, my Government is committed to strengthening the existing institutions including the Electoral Commission of Kenya and the Judiciary to enhance their capacity to arbitrate fairly and professionally and timely on any issue.”

The Head of State asserted that since disagreements are bound to occur during the electioneering periods such differences should never form the basis of wreaking havoc in society.

“Even as we strive to build a just and equitable society, we also recognise that conflicts will always be there. However, as a society, we must always endeavour to resolve these conflicts without resorting to violence,” said President Kibaki.

He restated that the government was devoted to the conclusion of the comprehensive review of the constitution in order to achieve modern institutions of governance as well as to create checks and balances among organs of the government.