Electoral Crisis in Kenya

From: Owinga Bonfas

Kenya is ending the year on a very sad note. This tragic state of affairs has been caused by a small clique of power hungry individuals determined to hijack and strangle the country’s democratic process through poll rigging and manipulation of presidential vote tallying. They will not succeed.

Already, hundreds of Kenyans have dearly paid the ultimate price, resisting the diabolical plans hatched in the dark recesses of the minds of a few who mistakenly believe they can ride roughshod over the expressed will of the people of Kenya. They will not win.

Kenyans of various political persuasions around the World are standing firm with suffering compatriots back home. Uniting us is the democratic impulse and the burning desire to see Kenya back on the rails of democracy. This must happen now.

We reiterate that ultimately this is a Kenyan affair, but we also recognize the important role of the international community to assist us to get back to normal, which means respecting the political verdict of the majority of Kenyans in the just concluded polls. This must be loudly and fervently expressed.

To date we have been disappointed with the manner in which some actors on the international scene have responded to this rape of democracy in our country. Some have even suggested that Kenyans accept the blatantly fraudulent results and move on with their lives. Many have been lukewarm in their criticism of the perpetrators of this fraud. This is a wrong and counterproductive approach.

We are calling for strong words from the international community followed by appropriate action mainly pressuring President Mwai Kibaki to immediately step down and let democracy prevail. There is need for fresh Presidential elections soon. Threats of sanctions against the political Neanderthals currently at the helm of a murderous outfit masquerading as the government of Kenya are necessary too. Murder, robbery, and theft must not be rewarded. This is the international law.

We call upon the international community to come to the aid of the people of Kenya at this hour of need. Food and water is already running low in many areas in the country. Our people are facing the specter of starvation abetted by an illegal authority that is shooting at them at will. They need urgent help.

We condemn this murder of democracy and our people unreservedly. We call upon the Kenyan police to exercise utmost restraint and stop the indiscriminate shooting of our people. We ask all Kenyans of conscience to stand up and be counted. We may be called upon to organize ways to get assistance to poor suffering compatriots. Every Kenyan community out here must begin organizing and preparing for such an eventuality.

We shall overcome. We shall prevail. We have no other choice.