UPC commends Kenyans for peaceful elections

Aug 11, 2022

"In the eyes of the democratic process, this is what ought to be done." "Kenyans have challenged everyone in Africa, especially in Uganda," Muzeyi observed.

Addressing journalists at the party headquarters, Muzeyi praised the government of Kenya for allowing Kenyans in the diaspora to participate in the voting exercise. (File Photo)

Ibrahim Ruhweza
Journalist @New Vision

POLITICS | UPC | KENYA
The Uganda People's Congress (UPC) has commended Kenyans for observing peaceful presidential campaigns and the election process so far.

Although there were a few incidents of chaos reported on voting day (August 9), the elections were generally peaceful, noted UPC’s head of communications and media, Faizo Muzeyi.

The tallying process is underway by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which will announce the official results at an appropriate time.

"We want to thank the people of Kenya for holding a generally peaceful campaign and elections throughout the entire electoral period despite the few issues observed," Muzeyi told the press on Wednesday.

According to Muzeyi, Kenyans have taken the time to learn from their mistakes and respect the norms of democracy. In the 2007 elections, former Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki (RIP) was declared the winner with 46% of the vote, and he was sworn in at the State House on December 30, 2007. However, opposition leader Raila Odinga also claimed victory, and civil unrest broke out, resulting in the deaths of over 1,000 people and the displacement of up to 600,000 others.

Addressing journalists at the party headquarters, Muzeyi praised the government of Kenya for allowing Kenyans in the diaspora to participate in the voting exercise.

Preliminary results from IEBC show that Kenyan vice president William Samoei Ruto of the Kenya Kwanza (Kenya First) Alliance and Odinga of the Azimio coalition were neck and neck. Ruto subscribes to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, while Odinga belongs to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). At Kololo in Kampala yesterday, 692 voters turned up and only 35 voters had issues with the register for failing to update the credentials in time.

"In the eyes of the democratic process, this is what ought to be done." "Kenyans have challenged everyone in Africa, especially in Uganda," Muzeyi observed.

According to Muzeyi, when it was time for campaigns and elections in Uganda, many Ugandans were violated, arrested, injured, and some died.

“The internet was disconnected and those in the diaspora did not participate in the 2021 presidential general elections." Voters were brutally manhandled and businesses closed. This has not happened in Kenya," he noted.

Muzeyi challenged the Ugandan government to borrow a leaf from Kenya's way of handling elections and allow Ugandans in the diaspora to vote in the next general election in 2026.

"I encourage the government of Uganda to develop a mechanism that allows eligible Ugandans in the diaspora to vote," he said, adding that “As a country, we need to start taking lessons from Kenyans, and leaders should not take the demands of the people for granted."

However, Muzeyi cautioned Kenyans to remain peaceful as they have been even after the declaration of the winner. "UPC is hopeful that the peace that has been exhibited during campaigns and elections, will prevail even after the declaration of results in Kenya."

According to Muzeyi, it is rare for African leaders to change power without shedding blood. He said most leaders fail to respect their respective constitutions by stepping down for other leaders to carry on.

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