The elections in Kenya have been very peaceful.
On arrival, we had a
briefing meeting the following day we where given detailed information
about the electoral processes in Kenya. We have an opportunity to also
watch the final campaign of the 2 key candidates Raila Odinga and Kenya
Uhuru. All the candidates have coalitions arrangements of CORD and
Jubilee respectively.
Yesterday (03rd, March, 2013) we had a planning meeting to plan for today. We
distributed our selves into two teams. In our participation is members
from Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Zambia.
Today ( 04th, March, 2013) the voting day we woke
up at 4:am. Had a quick breakfast and went to observe the polls. I went
to 9 polling stations some in West Lands and Also moved to East lands.
We drove back from East lands and had the opportunity to drive through
the much praised super highway. Indeed its magnificent, with 5 lanes to
either side with 3 of them high speed lands and the other two slow
lanes. By 1pm I went to the last polling station at Kilimani were I also
conducted and was interviewed. i hope we shall have a recording of this
interview which HIVOS in preparing.
Immediately after, i returned to iHub where i have been since 1pm.
Looking at ICT component. The platform itself, challenges, strength,
strategies, social media. there is definitely best practices to adopt in
our future intervention. While here, Crispy, Nicholas De Torent of DGF,
Patrick Kaboyo came by to visit the center. Celestin and Farida joined
later from a press conference where James and Celestin participated at
elog. It has been a busy day.
One thing clearly the Kenyans are nationalists. Large queues lining up
to vote. By 5am, I saw a queue of almost 2Kms of people lining. By 12pm I
saw a queue of almost 4Km on a hot day queuing to go cast their vote.
This was really awesome. James just dropped by as well, as i type this.
He is having a cup of coffee from the field and a quick chat with Salome
of CRECO. Sheila and John Silco have been very active in the various activities.
Celestin and his team came by to visit us as well later evening.
Accessed from email sent by Emma Oluke (CEWIT), election observer-Kenya, 5th March, 2013
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