Press Statement on nomination skirmishes 25th January 2013

“The Action Inter-Ethnic Youth Dialogue and Peaceful Reconciliation Project-Kibera”

Press Statement on the just concluded Party Primaries.

We, the members of “The Action Inter-Ethnic Youth Dialogue and Peaceful Reconciliation” popularly known as the Kibera Peace Initiative, wish to express our concern about the violence which broke out during the recent party nomination exercise that took place on 17^th January 2013, and later led to loss of property  in some parts of Kibra Constituency.

We have established that more violence was linked to the ODM party nominations for various posts within Kibra constituency between supporters of different candidates in the said nominations. It was evident that, either ODM party was not adequately prepared for the exercise or did not accord it the seriousness it deserved and on the same breadth underestimated the people’s reaction and its impact on the peaceful co-existence among the people of Kibra constituency.

Most polling stations received the ballot boxes late and consequently voting commenced late and as a result, many voters did not cast their votes. Under the guise of darkness, some voters voted repeatedly, defeating the whole purpose for a fair election. This situation rendered some aspirants helpless and hence developed the feeling that the nominations were perhaps tailored to favour certain candidates. The only solution for some candidates at that time, was to use their supporters to keep vigil over the whole nomination exercise and in the process there was widespread tension, intimidation and chaos from the supporters of rival candidates both parliamentary and county assembly, that eventually turned violent.

In some polling stations, voting did not take place totally, but results were announced. The voters felt betrayed beyond restraint. Some aggrieved candidates also receded to the powers of their supporters to enable them air their grievances to the party headquarters that appeared impervious to formal petitions, resulting in violent protests and destruction of property. The situation was further aggravated by the fact that media; print, electronic and social were awash with the news of nomination linked protests in different parts of the country. While Kibera was experiencing delays in elections, other parts of the country were already contesting results from the bungled nominations across the country.

Social media was also awash with perceived winners and losers, further worsening the already delicate situation. Worse still, ODM party did not take the lead to appeal for calm among to its supporters. Voters in Kibra constituency may have read mischief in the on-goings and resorted to the only way they thought they could be heard and by the time the leaders reacted, it was too late, the tension had already tipped into violence.