Get out, cast your vote for the right leaders

We have said this before and we feel constrained to say it again:Kenyans, wherever you are in this beautiful geographical expression called Kenya, if you are over 18 years and you have a voter’s card, please get out early tomorrow morning and cast your vote!

There are several good and compelling reasons you must cast your vote on Monday. First and foremost, as a citizen and resident of a democratic country, it is your inalienable right to elect the kind of leaders you want to take you and your country forward.

You have heard them in rallies, you have, hopefully, read their party and individual manifestoes, you have seen them in debates; so tomorrow is your date with destiny to make an epoch changing decision when you get into the privacy of voting enclosure. Dear Kenyans, we have had many elections before, but never before has an election held so much potential – and inherent risks too – for our beloved country.

The positive potential comes with making the right choices in all the six positions being contested, from the presidency, governor, senator, women representative, member of the national assembly and county assembly.

On the other hand, if you vote for someone on the basis other than merit, say for instance because he or she comes from your tribe or has bribed, then you will have only yourself to blame when he or she fails to deliver on any or all the promises made during the campaigns.

As we vote, dear Kenyans, let us keep and observe peace. As they say, elections come and go, leaders too come and go. But the country and its citizens remain. No leader is worth dying for. This is an election, not war.

But even as we urge voters to keep and observe peace, we should also not forget one most critical player in the General Election: The Independent Boundaries and Elections Commission ( IEBC).

IEBC, its commissioners and staff have been bestowed the honour of conducting these elections. To you we say: Please do everything in your power to ensure that the elections are not just free and fair, but are also seen to be free and fair without an iota of doubt to any right thinking Kenyan.

There have been a few glitches and murmurs here and there regarding the preparedness (or lack thereof) of IEBC to conduct this all-important General Election.

We believe and trust that the IEBC, its wisdom, has heard the voices of concern and moved swiftly to address the issues raised. It is extremely critical that at all times IEBC maintains and guards its integrity at all costs because, like Caesar’s wife, IEBC cannot afford to be viewed as lacking in honour. There are other institutions too that will be central in making successful and credible tomorrow’s elections. We have in mind the Kenya Police Service and the Judiciary.

Although the two are not directly involved in the management of the elections, they play an important role in providing the right atmosphere for elections to take place.

While the police provide security, Kenyans will be counting on the Judiciary to be there, as an independent and swift arbiter whenever and wherever disputes arise.

We are encouraged in that all the key institutions have categorically stated that they are ready and prepared for the elections and any challenges that may come with the polls.

The new Constitution has also provided for laws that guard the electoral process and the swearing-in of the new president.

This will avoid a repeat of 2007/2008 where the Head of State hurriedly took over office without allowing room for resolution of the disputed election.

With that kind of assurance, then dear Kenyan you have no reason not to cast your vote. And remember, bad leaders do not come from hell. They are ‘elected’ by complacent citizens who neglect their right to vote.

On the other hand, good leaders do not fall from the skies; virtuous citizens who choose to exercise their sovereign right and cast their votes elect them. Whatever your choice at the ballot keep the peace.