Nairobi — Kenyan blogger Daudi Were shares insights on the 2007 national elections from Nairobi.
Kenya decides – Kenyan election 2007
6am is fast approaching, dawn is breaking, and Kenyans are already making their way to their polling stations to take part in the general election.
No doubt the last few weeks have been hot, politically and literally. Rallies have been attended, promises have been made, speeches have been revised, accusations and counter accusations thrown.
Despite the political heat there are many signs that we are a rapidly maturing democracy. I have seen people from across the political divide sit and debate the merits and demerits of their candidates vigorously but without the traditional violence. The electorate is aware and on its toes for any irregularities. There is not much you can sneak past the Kenyan public these days.
That is not to say that problems, big problems, do not remain. I have been dismayed by the treatment of many women up and down the country punished cruelly for exercising their democratic right to stand for election.
However, I take refuge in the knowledge that as I type this at 5.15am thousands of Kenyans are already walking towards polling stations, hundreds of thousands will queue up for hours to vote, supermarkets and shopping malls are closed so that workers can vote. Many, like me, had taken steps to ensure they are not disenfranchised on a technicality. My voters card, together with my National Identity card have been well hidden in my equivalent of a bank vault (inside a lockable pouch, in a shoe box, behind a speaker – hehe). We understand the importance of today. Like many I will not be voting “three piece” that is to say my choices for president, member of parliament and councillor will not come from the same party. Let those we elect learn to work together when they get to parliament.
I do not believe (and pray) that the streets of Kenya will be flowing with blood as some predict. There will not be running battles across the country.
I will be blogging and posting pictures from around Nairobi today and I hope other bloggers out there will be doing the same from wherever they are. Today is the day. Let’s make it count.
