Yesterday was a remarkable day. The patience and determination with which Kenyans waited to vote, in some instances for over ten hours, was humbling. I saw young men in front of me come down with fatigue, sit on bare ground, but wake up to soldier on. None gave up. 411 messages of two Kenyans who collapsed and passed on while on queues in Murang'a and Karen were most depressing. There was also the sad and tragic incidence of the security officers who were attacked at Kwale at the eve of the voting day. But beyond these, a few other isolated incidents and reports of names missing on registers and EVID machines failing, voting went on peacefully and smoothly countrywide. Well done Kenyans. This must remain the spirit of perfecting our democracy. At this rate, our country would soon pull itself through to the league of middle income nations.
Counting of votes is on going. A mood of anxiety looms as everyone awaits results. Let us accept the reality of competitive politics.....that there must emerge winners and losers. Whoever wins owes Kenyans mature and inclusive leadership and must embrace and work with all the losers. He must mind the key issues that afflict this nation.....national cohesion, security, poverty, disparities in wealth distribution, high levels of unemployment, infrastructure provision and quality education among others. We in return owe them support. Importantly, we must begin to accept the reality that the institution of presidency and that of governors are only offices around which to rally and coordinate the various national and county organs. Our future as a nation therefore revolves around strengthening and supporting institutions and processes which deliver goods and services to Kenyans. We must continuously debunk the myth of depending on our leaders as individuals and promote institutions and organs guided by our values and aspirations as a people.
See for instance how a stronger and more reliable judiciary and electoral commission have relaxed us as we voted. See how the process put in place to register and resolve poll petitions seemingly makes us all relax even as we await results. See how the fact that the president will only be sworn in on a specific date and venue, known to Kenyans, makes us all relax that no surprises can be pulled while there are outstanding poll issues. Strong, independent institutions and organs will be our way to perfect distribution of resources and service delivery and grow our democracy. The men and women we elect are compasses for national and county directions.
So let us all peacefully await and accept the final results and meanwhile resume normal services in our respective sectors so that Kenya may move on.