In Vote-seeking Endeavors, “keep away from people's misfortunes”: Bishops in Kenya

The Catholic church leaders pledged not to tire in providing necessary guidance to political candidates in Kenya, adding that most of the Kenyan politicians pretend to be God fearing especially in the electioneering periods.

“We wish to demand from the aspirants more respect for the voter. Peddling lies, unnecessary personality attacks, inciting voters against opponents, and sheer demeaning attitudes towards voters because they are poor and lowly is going against the spirit of responsible leadership,” they said.

Addressing themselves to the leadership of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Catholic Bishops in Kenya underlined the need for proper preparedness to ensure the election outcome is free, fair and credible.

“We wish to highlight the need for the IEBC to be properly prepared. Every vote counts; the elections we're about to conduct in under two months mean nothing if every vote doesn't count. All the agencies involved in the election process work for the voter, they work for the citizen,” they said.

Catholic Bishops in Kenya continued, “The voter is essentially the employer for whom and with whom all the agencies state and non-state actors work for. Our democracy is made meaningful if we respect every voter by listening to issues that the vote is interested in and by ensuring the process through which a leader is elected is genuine.”

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In the message by the Local Ordinary of Kisumu Archdiocese who doubles as the Vice Chairman of KCCB, Catholic Bishops in Kenya underlined the need for politicians to pay attention to the poor and vulnerable Kenyans.

They said, “The plight and concerns of the poor, underprivileged, desperate, unemployed, must be at the center of all election discussion.”

There is need for the poor and the marginalized to be listened to and given much consideration because they are the majority voters, KCCB members further said. 

“Every voter has a right to be appropriately approached and informed,” they said, and added, “Special effort must be made to inform and educate this marginalized voter.”

To demonstrate their preparedness in conducting free and credible elections, IEBC needs to “engage urgently in the cleaning up of the voter register as required by law,” the Catholic Bishops said, adding that cleaning the register is critical because it will only give a chance for legitimate voters to vote.

IEBC officials need to “make greater effort to assure voters with great transparency arrangements regarding the voting process: from the printing of ballots, transporting them to the polling centers, opening them before party agents, safe environment to cast votes, counting of votes and the whole process of transmitting results,” KCCB members said in their June 12 message.

They went on to highlight transparency as a key factor that IEBC need to assure Kenyans.

Transparency, KCCB members said, “will increase public trust and therefore offer more legitimacy to the election outcomes,” as well as “reduce contestations of election results particularly the presidency.”

They urged the electoral body to focus on voter education, saying, “Part of the mandate of IEBC is to conduct civic and voter education. Given the time constraint we believe it is urgent that IEBC embarks on effective voter education.”

“It is very important that communication from IEBC be clear and keep the voter fully informed of what is required of him,” Archbishop Muhatia said June 12 on behalf Catholic Bishops in Kenya.

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The Catholic Bishops expressed readiness to offer the electoral body with their support in ensuring free, fair and credible elections especially through civic education initiatives.

KCCB members lauded the IEBC for their effort in assessing the presidential candidates as per the law governing the admission of candidates to vie for various posts, saying that it is a good chance for Kenyans to make informed decisions.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.