KORRA Chairman, Fred Gori said the debate was a first in Kajiado County and urge residents to turn up in large numbers to gauge the choices they are presented with at the next elections. [Photo/Twitter]
Kajiado North Member of County Assembly and Parliamentary candidates will sign a peace pact and social contract with voters during debates organized to help voters judge the quality of candidates they will elect on August 8, 2017.
The debates are organized by the Kiserian and Ongata Rongai Residents Association (KORRA) in partnership with Nairobi Chapel - Ongata Rongai (NCOR) Action Now, a civil society organization, Catholic Justice and Peace Commission – Ngong Diocese and End Poverty with Justice Paralegals (EPJI – Paralegals).
The Peace Pact binds candidates to preach and champion peace before, during and after the elections. It also calls on them to cooperate with the relevant government agencies to ensure peace prevails in the cosmopolitan constituency.
Social Contract, on the other hand, lists the development priorities of Kajiado North residents and binds the leaders to champion the overarching projects by properly targeting the resources they control and being proactive in negotiating with other arms of government.
KORRA Chairman, Fred Gori said the debate was a first in Kajiado County and urge residents to turn up in large numbers to gauge the choices they are presented with at the next elections.
“MCAs not only represent our interests at the County Government. They also control significant budget outlays which can change the face of their wards if properly targeted,” said Mr. Gori.
Action Now’s Irene Kamau expressed concern at the low levels of civic education which has led to citizens voting on the basis of ethnicity and other superficial considerations.
“It has been observed that most voters elect leaders they hardly know because they lack a platform through which citizens at community level can be exposed to the character, abilities and integrity of candidates,” said Ms. Irene Kamau of Action Now, Kenya.
She added, “as such, most of the citizens have continued to vote in leaders on the basis of their tribal affiliation rather than their individual integrity and ability.”
The first of the debates brought together MCA candidates for NKAIMURUNYA WARD in Ongata Rongai and takes place today 3pm on Wednesday July 12, 2017 at the Nairobi Chapel, Ongata Rongai grounds.
The debate for Ongata Rongai Ward takes place on Friday July 14, Olkeri Ward on Tuesday July 18 while the MPs debate is scheduled for Friday July 28.
Nairobi Chapel’s Pastor Zack Lukuba urged leaders and residents to maintain peace and respect for each other during the electioneering period.
“We live and do business in a multiethnic constituency but let no one divide us along the lines of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation. This diversity is our strength,” said Pastor Lukuba.