President Uhuru Kenyatta toasts. [Photo/The Star]It is now less than 20 days to the August 8, polls when Kenyans will be expected to exercise their democratic mandate of choosing a leader who will govern the nation for the next five years.If opinion polls are anything to go by then, it is evident that Kenyans are set to experience one of the hotly and closely contested elections ever.For instance polls by renown survey firms in the country have indicated a close race where neither President Uhuru Kenyatta nor NASA's flag bearer Raila Odinga has a guarantee for a round one win, with all indications showing that a run-off is brewing.In fact, reliable sources within the NASA have also revealed that an internal poll done by the opposition under the guidance of an American research firm places ODinganarrowly ahead of Uhuru by just a one percentage point. From the NASA survey, Raila garnered 47.4 percent compared to Uhuru's 46.7.However, despite this scientific assumptions, political analyst Machel Waikenda states that it is vital that President Uhuru Kenyatta secures a round one victory in the August 8, polls. According to Waikenda, a run-off may lead Kenya's to a power-sharing government as it was after the 2007 polls where former President Mwai Kibaki and Odinga had to settle for a Nusu Mkate government which was full of intrigues."Kenyans must, therefore, decide that Uhuru should get a second term and give him a resounding round one victory. A win by a small margin will be a recipe for confusion and tension since it will be challenged as happened before," said Waikenda.The other reason Waikenda uses to build his case is that the fact that he feels if Uhuru wins in round one then that also means peace and development will be availed even more for Kenyans."A decisive win by one candidate will ensure peace prevails, and the results of the election cannot be disputed. Those claiming to be undecided must make up their minds, and we must all rally behind the candidate who advocates peace and development," he said.Finally, Waikenda hypothesises that a round one win for Uhuru will go a long way in alleviating the local mwanainchi a huge financial burden of conducting a run-off. "Additionally, we must not take this country through a runoff, as this will be another cause for tension. The country cannot be put in an election mood for another couple of months. This is not good for the economy and development," he said.Will Uhuru's round one win ensure Kenya is at peace? Be the judge.

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