The pull and push by politicians that emerges after elections is the major challenge facing Kenya’s democracy, the General Secretary Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui has said.
Each of the 7 General Election Kenya has held since 1992 has had three characteristics, these being cut-throat competition between political parties in the pre-election period; peaceful polling by voters; and thereafter conflict as politicians dispute the results of the presidential poll.
The General Secretary was speaking during the launch 2022 Post-Election Evaluation report by the Office of Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), which in part has called for intensified civic education for political parties and the general public.
“Addressing the low trust in political parties among Kenyans is crucial. Let’s focus on fostering trust in our political landscape while promoting tolerance among different players,” the GS pointed out.
He explained that religious leaders in the country are working to create a dialogue platform where all Kenyans can discuss issues that affect them so as to deepen and guard the country’s democracy.
The GS noted that the ingrained tendency to reach elite pacts to placate political leaders after elections needs to be curtailed so as to build tolerance and institutional performance. “As a nation, we our focus should be on addressing the deeply-rooted issues such as poverty, inequality, cost of living, corruption, impunity, and unemployment, not merely quieting the political actors,” he explained.
