This is what can be done

There is a time in everybody's life when things do not happen the way they should. This is a fact of life. Winners will tell you that at some point they lost, during the real event or during practice. Kenyans are right now glued to their television and radio stations as well as social sites, taking in the election results as they are being relayed by IEBC from the national tallying centre, Bomas of Kenya. Though the exercise is far from complete, there are emerging leaders. So far the candidates that have received majority of the votes are Raila Odinga of CORD and Uhuru Kenyatta from Jubilee. Kenyans are taking the results with mixed feelings; others are in celebratory mood as others remain expectant of the votes that are yet to be counted. It is however a fact that at the end of the day, there will be a winner and a loser despite anybody's preference. 

Keeping calm and reasonable is the first step that you as Kenyan should take. Remember that everybody has the right to elect a leader of their choice and this right is protected by the constitution. It is very reasonable  to shout for joy when your preferred candidate has won. it is even interesting to cap it all with a jig! However, be careful not to act in a manner liable to demoralize people that support the opposing candidate. This can simply be achieved if you refrain from sentiments bordering on insults or singing songs with derogatory words. Do not in any way imply that the winners tribe is more superior than the candidates that have lost. Conduct yourself with utmost decorum. 

There post election violence of 2007/8 is still fresh in peoples mind. It takes peoples minds back to the real scene when there is a presence of groups of young men on the streets conversing in low tones. the fact can even be aggravated if the conversations are held in mother-tongues. Do not engage in contentious group chitchat about the elections. More so, stay away from groups that talk about refusing the outcome of the elections or claiming that the IEBC is biased. As a responsible Kenyan commit to keeping peace by not engaging in propaganda or hate speech. Report plans of attacks against certain groups based on their tribe or choice of leader.

There might be technical hitches either from the tallying stations, the national tallying center or even from the media houses. Use hotlines that have been provided by the IEBC, email or post comments on their social sites. You can as well use the police hotlines in case there is violence.  The IEBC hotline is  0800 720002 the police Hotline is 0736350100 (central police station). 

Most importantly, talk to women, mothers, business men and ordinary citizens who seems to be the most vulnerable in the society and yearns for a caring person. People want the elections to run smoothly, get  responsible leaders so that their life can continue. Be part of the people that make this happen by remaining peaceful and urging friends and neighbors to keep peace and address their concerns to the relevant authorities during this expectant period. 

Written by Caroline Chencha and Ramogi Osewe

This project is funded by the European Union