Council of Elders drawn from different ethnicities in Bungoma County have called upon Kenyans to exercise restraint barely two days to August 9, 2022 general election.
Speaking to KNA at a hotel in Kimilili town Bungoma County, the elders led by Wafula Simiyu said that the forthcoming election was unique in that it would see power changing hands from one person to another.
Simiyu noted that the general election has generated a lot of political heat across the country and the council of elders is concerned that the real issues affecting Kenyans were being sidelined by political sideshows.
“Kenyans are complaining of high cost of living high prices of maize flour high fuel prices hence makes the cost of living to be expensive yet most of the politicians concentration is to clinch the position they are vying for then see them again after five years,” he noted.
The council of elders observed that Bungoma County and Kenya at large would be a home of various ethnic communities and called on Kenyans to maintain peace and shun those bent on riding to power by stoking ethnic animosity among locals and Kenyans at large.
Simiyu said this election should be a turning point for having been conducted peacefully in the country urged Kenyans to uphold the trend saying this was critical in fostering development in the country.
However, he pointed out that various council of elders have had different opinions but noted that there decision was not binding to the electorate thus does not bar anyone for making independent choice from among potential contenders.
Stephen Musani, a council of elders from the Sabaot community has applauded all aspirants in the county and the country at large for having conduct their campaigns in peace despite a few cases reported.
Musani said that Mt Elgon Constituency through the efforts of security team media council of elders’ churches and Non-Governmental Organization has been peaceful.
He called upon residents to also follow the same path vote in peace and wait for the announcement of the results.
The joint council of elders asked the security team to ensure that all bars are closed the night before election to ensure that all Kenyans have an opportunity to exercise the constitutional democratic right of voting or their favorite candidates.
A youth representative in the council of elders Newton Kirui asked youths in the county and country at large to refrain from indulging in alcohol during this important time of their life.
Kirui said that the youths of this nation should remain sober while they participate in a process set to determine the leadership and the future of this country.
According to Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission data, a total of 15,162 candidates are going to vie for various positions in August 9, 2022 general election.
Four presidential candidates 266 governors 359 women representatives 341 senators 2132 will run for members of national assembly while 12,060 vying for position member of county assemblies.
By Douglas Mudambo
