IEBC Vice-Chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdalla has urged Kenyans in the areas having by-elections in November to remain peaceful as candidates conduct their campaigns.
Ms Abdalla asked candidates to take charge of their campaign activities and ensure their supporters keep peace at all times.
“Maintain peace; Kenya is a beautiful country and we only have one country to live in,” the IEBC vice chair pleaded.
Ms Abdalla was speaking Thursday when she toured Kasipul constituency IEBC offices in Kosele to support candidate registration for the by-election.
“I am here in Kasipul. The main objective of the activity is backstopping of candidates’ registration as a commission,” she said.
“We are also here to ensure that we provide guidance and we can see if there are any logistical challenges or any issues that need immediate address to ensure that each and every Kenyan has a chance to participate fairly in the upcoming by-elections,” she added.
At the same time, the Vice Chair appreciated the effort of the security team in maintaining law and order during elections in the country.
She urged the security officials to remain neutral saying as security officials, everybody is running to them for assistance.
The Vice Chair who addressed security team led by the Sub County Police Commander Philip Saera said if by any chance security officers seem to be aligning with any candidate, it would bring tension.
“Remain neutral as you have always done and the country will be safe. All candidates will be running to you for assistance,” she said.
Ms Abdalla said as a commission, they were ready for the by-election and that they have been hearing from all officials on the ground in the 24 areas that everything is smooth and there were no challenges.
“I am happy to report that here in Kasipul constituency I have observed that we have about 11 candidates, three of whom are young people between the ages of 23-35 years, and we have one woman,” she said.
The Vice Chair took the opportunity to encourage even people with disabilities and any other Kenyan to feel free and come forward and participate in elections.
“I have also observed that our team of officers on the ground led by Returning Officers, Deputy Returning Officers and the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) are working together to ensure the process and progress are seamless. So far everything is very good; we are taking minimum time to clear candidates. As of yesterday, about six were cleared another two have been cleared and we are expecting the remaining five to come before 5pm,” she said.
By Moseti Julius
