EUROPEAN Union has added its voice to President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to declare the election date. At the same time, EU is calling upon Kenyans to conduct peaceful campaigns devoid of hate speech to avoid a repeat of 2007/08 post election violence. The head of the EU delegation in Kenya, Ambassador Lodevijk Briet was speaking in Nairobi yesterday after meeting. He also met chairman of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Isaack Hassan, National Cohesion and Integration Commission boss Mzalendo Kibunjia and Editors Guild chair Macharia Gaitho.
He praised the level of preparedness by Kenyans towards the forthcoming general elections. “We want Kenyans to say what they are doing towards ensuring a smooth election and in case they need any support, we will be willing to offer it,” Briet said. He called on the two principals to announce the date of the elections to enable IEBC to start preparing for the task ahead. Hassan has publicly indicated that the commission will be ready to conduct the polls in December, and is said to be putting mechanisms in place for the much hyped polls.
The German Ambassador Margit Hellwig-Boette, who was present at the event said Kenya risked loosing a lot in revenue if the current politicking mood continues. She urged leaders to desist from making inflammatory remarks, and called on Kibunjia to check on those bent on contravening the constitution by engaging in hate speech. Hellwig-Boette said that there is need to devise a contract between media and NCIC to ensure that there is responsible journalism during the electioneering period and prosecution for anyone who will break the law.
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