Today, we cannot expect our political leaders to turn us into their responsibility, unless we join hands in implementing the new initiatives that were brought forth by the 2010 Constitution to make a brighter and promising future for the youth, women, and children.
August 27, 2010, was a month Kenyans made a great milestone, ushering in a new regime, our country was reborn. It was a real opportunity for us as a nation to forge a forward motion by trying all we can in rebuilding this nation.
As we head towards August 8, 2017, we ought to remember that we have paid dearly in our journey this far, many have died along the way and we are fortunate to reap the fruits of the struggle.
However, we are yet to fully unburden ourselves from that tribal tag as we head to the polls. An election as a vehicle for democracy is, therefore, a leeway to an accountable and legitimate government as well as socio-economic progress.
History shows us that every time elections are in the offing, there are always political skits being played by politicians to have their way back into power. They are out to form strong and powerful political parties or alliances to get them back on the platform of change. That change has, however, remained elusive for long.
We, the electorate the same way we did our best to usher in the new constitution, we have another chance to chart a new path, a new destiny for the nation. We have to go out there and register as voters.
Many Kenyans have become habitual lamenters, in our homes, and places of work of how bad the leadership is, how we cannot get employed, how badly off we are to put bread on the table not only or ourselves but also for the family and how each and every day is a struggle.
By registering as voters during the ongoing voter registration period, we shall fully participate in the political determination a key component in the maintenance and deepening of democracy. It is an obligation laying on our shoulders and not a favour granted by the government.
Our constitution has already engendered the necessary mechanisms and institutions at all levels to ensure a peaceful transition from one regime to another.
As registered voters, we shall be able to sieve and chose credible leaders and at the same time provide an opportunity for the outgoing leaders to be able to continue a decent and meaningful existence and to contribute further to national, regional and international development.
Always, the power is with us the individuals and not the leaders to decide on what we want for the good of everyone. Not the norm that, “In Kenya, the obstacle to progress is the notion of ‘vote against’ as opposed to ‘vote for’”.
With our vote, we shall have an opportunity to ensure the positive transformation of voting in democratically constituted leaders, who agents of principles of participation and representation.
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