A VIOLENCE FREE 2022
ELECTIONS BILA NOMAROADMAP
Rationale and Problem Statement
The existing concern is that the 2022 General Elections draw several parallels to the 2007 one. Moreover , most of the underlying causes of conflict identified in the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation (KNDR) process largely remain unresolved.
Objective of the election bila noma roadmap
The overall objective of the NClC election roadmap is to set the agenda and needed direction for all peace actors to make adequate preparations for a peaceful electoral process. It outlines a concrete roadmap to peaceful 2022 general elections.
ROADBLOCK TO A PEACEFUL ELECTION IN KENYA
1. Lack Of Trust
The 2013 Social Cohesion Index established that the levels of trust between Kenyan communities are very low. In addition, the trust between state and society is also questionable.Yet, trust is critical to elections.
Citizens that trust each other are more likely to uphold the rule of law and will not exploit the system to their advantage. Enhanced levels of trust between citizens and state increases the ability of citizens to report incidences of crime. Also, leaders who trust each other are less likely to resort to violent strategies and more likely to accept the results of political processes.
2. Sub-Culture of Violence
Violence has become a common means of expressing opposition and dissent on most issues in Kenya. Politicians use it to demonstrate their political power, ethnic groups to express their grievances, school children to complain about unsatisfactory conditions, and even religious leaders to manifest their unsatisfaction.
In the electoral process, citizens are even manipulated to participate in violence through persuasion, payment and benefits.
3. Divisive and Selfish Politics
Most leaders in Kenya seem to have abandoned the nationalist vision of equity and justice and given primacy to the acquisition of political power and wealth. They place their own self-interest and ambitions above national interest.
In Fact some are said to manipulate vulnerable populations to engage in violence by paying handouts .....
4. Ethnic Polarization
Competitive politics have been attributed to ethnic polarization in Kenya because political support is mobilized along ethnic lines. Polarization is manifested through heightened hate related speech (fake news, misinformation etc.) and ethnic incitement.
Negative ethnic messages are shared with the aim of discrediting a political opponent and derailing voters to more readily accept campaign claims made by co-ethnic leaders. As a result, ethnic communities adopt increasingly negative beliefs about the leaders and communities on the other side of the political divide over the course of the campaign. These negative messages may be sent out by political leaders, musicians, political analysts, journalists or bloggers among others.
5. Untimely & Inadequate Response to Conflict
There has been inaccurate predictions and inadequate linking of operational responses to conflict warnings. Under UWIANO, the Commission is part of a group of actors involved in the early warning-early response chain. This collaboration taps into already existing infrastructure like CEWARN and the NSC coordinated local peace infrastructure.
6. Structural Inequalities
Prevailing structural inequalities in the distribution of both economic and political resources. The resulting violence is only a symptom of broader failures to address grievances within a society.These inequalities are not only embedded in the institutions but are also manifested through historical grievances on the part of communities.
Count down to 2022 General Election
1. Open communication channels with in and between communities
2. Build trust between citizens and state
3. Enhance generalized trust within the society
1. Harmonize contenet and delivery of sensitization
2. Enhance citizen consciousness and practice of nonviolence
3. Build stakes for vulnerable groups
1. Sensitize political leaders
2. Facilitate politicians open debates on patriotic leadership
3. Initiate a peace ambassadors program for politicians
1. Train on conflict sensitive comminication / reporting
2. Monitor social media ,conduct investigations and recommend prosecution
3. Name and shame perpetrators
1. Sensitize communities to report
2. Establish situation room to process real-time data
3. Collaborate with UWIANO and other partners to action repid response
The Pledge of an Election Bila Noma
Trust within a society, as well as between the society and state is a critical element in any democracy. The Commission shall enhance trust within communities and between communities and state agencies by building trust, tolerance and understanding among all ethnic, religious and racial formations in the country.
The following activities will be implemented under this strategy:
- Conduct research on the state of social cohesion and reconciliation National and Regional symposia with partners and thought leaders on the theme of elections (One post-election symposia)
- Regular environmental scanning/ political analysis across the country
- Facilitate mediation and dialogue forums between conflicting communities
- Promote inter-faith dialogue
- Conduct Sports for Peace Tournaments in hotspot Counties and other conflict prone areas
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Facilitate open discussions between the community and state agencies
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Develop policy briefs to advise
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Government on ways of improving citizens' trust
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Evaluation of Peace and Harmony in 2022 Elections
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Feedback the nation on impact of Elections on Social Cohesion