Written By Ramadhan Kambi | |
An election preparedness campaign has been launched by more than 20 Human rights organizations and Community Service Organizations in the country.
The essence of these campaigns is to sensitize residents on the importance of peace before, during, and after the General elections set for August this year.
The countrywide campaign dubbed Angaza movement started in Western Kenya and is now in the coastal region to enlighten residents to register as voters, ensure they desist from any form of violence, and make wise choices for the political leaders who will be taking over leadership after the election.
The Angaza movement caravan which consists of comedians, MCees, human rights activists pitched camp in several areas in Malindi with the message of urging people to register as voters and ensure they do not take part in any form of unlawful practices.
Hundreds of curious onlookers jammed the Alaskan junction area to hear the message which was relayed together with music entertainment by Zangalewa dancers.
According to Moses Ghoi from the Kenya Human Rights Commission who was among those leading the campaign the movement brought together 20 NGOs and community-based organizations to ensure they help address challenges that occur during the electioneering period.
Speaking in Malindi he said they decided to sensitize the community on the electoral process particularly after the first phase of voter registration recorded a low turnout.
“We would like people to register in large numbers so as to be part of the electoral process which will help bring the change people want by electing the leaders they want,” he said.
He said they also will engage institutions involved in the process such as Independent Elections and Boundary Commission (IEBC), Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), and Kenya National Human Rights Commission to ensure the rules are followed and prevent any violations of human rights.
Mr Ghoi said they have been in Western Kenya and now they are in the Coast region to sensitize people so that the election is peaceful and free from any form of violence.
“Our Message as Angaza movement we are sensitizing people to come out in large numbers to register as voters anyone who is 18 years and above should not lose faith with the electoral process but register and take part in the elections,” he said.
He also urged Kenyans to elect leaders with good ideals who are going to be able to push for the transformation of the country.
One of the participants, Afye Swale from the Muslim for Human Rights (MUHURI) Kilifi county said their aim is to see fairness accountability in the electoral process.
She said they would also be monitoring keenly the injustices which may come up during the electioneering period.
“We started the campaign in Kwale today we are in Malindi Kilifi county and the climax which will be a major launching day will be on Tuesday in Tononoka grounds Mombasa,” he said.
Some of the organizations participating she said include Sema Nami Mama, Kilifi citizen forum, Muhuri, and Kilifi CSOs human rights network among others.
She said people need to be sensitized so that there is no breach of the law and ensure the process goes on smoothly without any hitches.
On his part, Mohamed Salim a human rights activist from Malindi said they want people to make proper choices of leaders by the people.
He said they want all people in Kilifi county to preach peace and ensure there is no violence adding that even after elections they make follow up on the leaders’ performance.
“We began with Malindi because the sub-county is the epicenter of politics in Kilifi and there are so many parties coming to Malindi people are preparing for elections, there have also been some cases of epicenter indiscipline killings of elderly which we want to be stopped,” he said.
Triza Nafula an activist representing women said they want to ensure the process gives women and people living with disability a chance to take part in the electoral process.
She said they do not want to see any human rights violation among women and will be on the lookout to expose such cases to the public.
