Saturday, March 16, 2013

Update 2 - Kenyan Elections

I left off in my last post with news of the victorious Jubilee Alliance leaders, Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, who were declared winners of the Presidency and Vice-Presidency in the recent Kenyan elections. I also posted about Raila Odinga's plans to contest the election results. The Honourable Odinga was vying for the Presidency and he and his running mate, Kilonzo Musyoka, felt that the election process was ripe with fraud or vote rigging and that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) failed in a number of areas concerning the conduct of the election process.

These children live in a very dry part of Kenya where water is a problem. They are standing at the site of an uncompleted water project.

Kenya's new Constitution provides for the legal contest and indeed this is a vast improvement over civil strife and mayhem that occurred after the last election results were disputed in 2007.  Odinga filed his legal challenge today (Saturday) in the country's Supreme Court in Nairobi.  In filing his claims, the Honourable Odinga made this statement to the press

 “I am not challenging the election outcome because I am determined to be declared president; but I realised that to do otherwise would be a betrayal of the new Constitution and democracy given the malpractices.”

Grounds on which the Honourable Odinga and the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) hope to build their legal challenge:
  • IEBC failed to carry out proper and valid voter registration in accordance with Article 83 of the Constitution
  • In some constituencies, the number of votes cast exceeded the number of registered voters
  • IEBC allowed a mobile phone service provider to co-host both its server and that of the TNA
  • IEBC electronic results transmission systems adopted were poorly selected and designed
  • IEBC failed to conduct transparent, verifiable and accountable elections

Apparently several other court cases concerning the elections have been filed.  I'm not sure what they are but my guess is that the CORD Coalition court case is the most significant one since it cuts to the heart of the electoral process.  Raila is seeking an invalidation of the entire election and the holding of a fresh poll.  If the Supreme Court invalidates the election, a new election must be held within 60 days.

Despite the fact that the election process is in effect in limbo, I think the Cord case is an important one.  Almost 50% of the electorate voted for Cord.  It is important for the leadership candidates and their team members, and for all Kenyans, to be fully assured of the election process and outcomes so that they can stand behind the elected leadership with certainty that the election was won fairly and squarely.

These children are curious onlookers to a meeting going on with the women of the village. You can see that there is a lot of lush vegetation as this area gets more rain but clean water is still an issue here as it is in many rural parts of Kenya.

Please continue to pray for Kenya and for the six (6) Supreme Court Justices who are entrusted with hearing the petitions and making appropriate rulings.  The outcomes will affect the future generations of Kenya.

This photo is taken in a very dry part of Kenya. These children have grown up in this harsh climate. It would be great if they could have access to a ready supply of refreshing, clean water.  Water, roads, food security, etc. are all important things that generations of Kenyans look forward to and their hopes are pinned upon their elected leaders. Keep them in your prayers.

14 comments:

Susan said...

Oh, Joyful, it breaks my heart to see the children of Kenya. Some look so thin, probably from being malnourished.

I'll never understand how children in some parts of the world have TOO much and then children like those shown in your post, have almost nothing.

Thanks for sharing. Susan

Shelby said...

What org is this p?

Joyful said...

Hi Shelby, I'm not understanding your question. I visited these children as part of my own visit to Kenya. They are not part of any organization. But one organization did try to build a borehole. It never got finished to the best of my knowledge as there were some major challenges and associated costs that made it more expensive than originally expected.

As for the children, I do help them and try to get others to join me with their finances. I send to a friend who helps to undertake various small projects to help feed, educate and clothe them.

Joyful said...

Hi Susan, thank you for dropping by and sharing your thoughts. It is true that in many parts of the world, including Kenya, the children and even adults do not have enough to eat. It is a true shame when others have TOO much as you say. Those of us who can help, need to help; with prayers and with concrete assistance. It is also good to teach our children, our grandchildren and our nieces and nephews not to take what they have for granted. If we teach them to share with others who have less, they will likely continue to help others when they are grown. I've heard of awesome examples of children who've done so much for other children. God bless you.

Denise said...

Bless you for sharing. I am praying.

Joyful said...

Thank you dear Denise!

Cindy said...

I do hope and pray that justice is served and the honest people win out. Bless you for caring so very much about Kenya.
Hugs, Cindy

Joyful said...

Thank you Cindy for praying with me for these dear ones. God bless you too.

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

Did you read of the African boy who made a windmill out of rubbish? And now his village has water and electricity..
Here is his story.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arD374MFk4w&list=FLCaqYuEWaz45SnuvZsWMofw&index=11

Joyful said...

Hi Crystal Mary, thanks for sharing this inspiring story. It is clear that not every child, or indeed every adult is capable of coming up with such genius ideas. I pray that God would help others to rise above their circumstances. (Initially I was going to delete the comment because of the link and I didn't readily see how it was relevant to the post. I see now that you haven't put a hot link in comments, only the addy. I also see that you were addressing the future of youth, as mentioned in my post). Thank you for sharing.

Shelby said...

okay i understand! That is good you are helping them out!

Pat said...

I, too, hope that the people of good character win and that wise decisions will be made in order to provide clean water for the people.

Vores have said...

Hello Joyful
Just inside to wish you a very happy Easter - hope all is well with you :) Hugs Hanne Bente

Anonymous said...

Penny,
Hi! I just can't imagine the harsh life that the children have much less the people.

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