Members of the Makonde Community take part in the mock election exercise. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
The Makonde community on Thursday held a mock election in readiness for the August 8 poll.
The community, which attained Kenyan citizenship in October, last year, will be taking part in the exercise for the first time.Makonde, originally from Mozambique became Kenya’s 43rd tribe after President Uhuru Kenyatta issued them with Identity Cards (IDs).Speaking during the mock exercise, the community’s chairman Thomas Nguli, said the members are excited and are looking forward to taking part in the elections.“We are ready to vote because we are now full citizens of the great land of Kenya,” said Nguli, as quoted by The Star. The community, which resides in Kwale, Taita Taveta and Kilifi Counties, arrived in the country in 1947 to work in sugar and sisal plantations. Before they attained citizenship, the community members complained of being sidelined in various national activities including voting. They said they were compelled to give their children to neighbours and well-wishers to enable them acquire birth certificates as well as pursue their studies.The community was registered after 1000 representatives, accompanied by officials from Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and other civil rights groups walked from Kwale to Nairobi to meet President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House to present their grievances.