Ann Njeri

A Clean Election Campaign is underway in Kenya ahead of 27 December elections for president and parliament.

According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, Kenya is still perceived as one of the world’s most corrupt nations, coming 142nd out of 163 countries analyzed. The Initiatives of Change team have previously fought Clean Election Campaigns in 1997 and 2002 which have mobilized many thousands of Kenyans to sign a pledge refusing to take part in bribery or violence and to hold officials to account. Ann Njeri, one of those taking part in the campaign, writes:

As the Clean Elections Campaign takes root in different parts of Kenya, it is clear that the message of elections free of violence and tribalism is critically needed by all. People are signing the printed pledge forms and many asking for more to take to their friends.

Many have also visited the website, www.iofc.org/cleanelections and are signing and forwarding the pledge. People are really appreciating the campaign and feel that it should get to everyone around the country. 'You should spread this campaign fast before people start purchasing weapons!' said one young man who said he could smell danger ahead in this crucial period.

Tribalism is a big factor in the campaign and many are really not choosing on the basis of integrity but on tribal lines, which is a great concern. That gives us, Clean Election Campaigners, a more difficult and sensitive task to undertake because in the tribalism is a lot of hatred and misunderstanding. 'I can not vote for leader X (name withheld) even if there was no one else vying for that seat,' said one young lady. 'I would rather not vote than vote for a person from that tribe.' Already some parts of Kenya are suffering from tribal clashes which have left many dead. We certainly need to take the campaign forward fast in case there is even one person out there who might be touched by our message and can stop the violence in his/her area. One young man wanted to tick just a few of the pledges on the form, leaving open the pledge on violence. 'I don’t want to pledge that I won’t be involved in violence because I am not sure about it.'

Many think the campaign just can’t work . 'We are Africans, we are Blacks and we have black minds. We can’t pledge and commit because we enjoy short cuts...and our leaders are no different. I think this campaign is just unrealistic for us!' This statement by a young man left me flattened, but after showing him the wisdom beyond being Blacks with black minds he became convinced that the CEC campaign was just the thing that Kenya needed in this period. He signed the pledge and asked for more to take to a group of young people of whom he is the leader.

Some people have been promising to support the campaign on condition that you support some particular party. In this case we have had to stand by our principles of not supporting specific parties or candidates but urge voters to go for leaders of integrity and those who are development conscious.

As we approach D-day we need prayers for peace.