A group calling itself Kenya Patriotic Movement (KEPAM) intends to petition the US government through the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, to intervene in ensuring that the upcoming presidential election in Kenya is transparent.
The group has posted the petition on the change.org global platform for campaigns, emphasizing the need for the US government ”to put pressure on the Kenyan government and the country’s electoral body (IEBC) to agree and implement minimum reforms before a repeat Presidential election is held. This is the surest way to ensure that the exercise is free, fair and credible.”
KEPAM argues that memories of post-election violence that rocked Kenya in 2007/08 are still fresh in Kenyans’ memories, adding that a repeat of the same would undermine the country’s economic stability.
”A stolen election catalyzed massive violence in 2007/2008 which made Kenyans kill each other. The same is likely to happen again if contingency measures are not put in place to avert it” reads part of the report.
The petition describes the current government as one that is afraid of reforms, saying that it [the government] ”could have been a beneficiary of the bungled election annulled on September 1st.”
KEPAM also states in the petition that Kenyans are afraid and that the IEBC ”is coerced by the incumbent to let the status quo remain”.
According to their website, ”Kenya Patriotic Movement embodies the desire for Kenyans at home and abroad to model citizen participation in the electoral process.”
”We believe the USA is our big brother in terms of strengthening democratic institutions, advancing Peace and Security and supporting economic development in Kenya. Anything that jeopardizes the rule of law, social justice, peace, and tranquility will affect these. In fact, if Kenya is hurt it may affect the US and the larger international community” reads part of the petition.
The group has a website with a Nairobi address.
At the time of this reporting, the petition had mobilized 212 signatures of the targeted 500.
Kenyans willing to sign the petition can find it HERE
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been edited to reflect the location of the organization based on available information on their website.
