From: barnhart@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Mr. Aaron Barnhart)
Subject: IPS:KENYA: COUNTRY'S FUTURE HANGS ON FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 14:00:09 GMT
Organization: Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A.

Copyright Inter Press Service 1992, all rights reserved.  Permission to re-
print within 7 days of original date only with permission from 'newsdesk'.

Title: KENYA: COUNTRY'S FUTURE HANGS ON FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS


an inter press service feature

by anaclet rwegayura

nairobi, dec 28 (ips) -- kenyans go to the polls tuesday in
presidential and parliamentary elections that will mean change
in this east african nation, whatever the result at the ballot
box.

after 14 years in office, president danial arap moi (68),
castigated as a dictator by the opposition, is in the race for
another five-year term amid rumours of civil war if he and his
ruling kenya african national union (kanu) wins the election.

moi's rallying cry, ''stability and progress'', reflects
dismally on his past record as kenya's chief executive. human
rights abuse, trailed by ethnic violence, mired in corruption,
the country is also on the brink of economic bankruptcy.

''whether moi likes it or not, this election will mark the
start of major political reforms in this country'', a resident
in the country's capital nairobi, told ips at a campaign
rally addressed by opposition ford-asili party presidential
candidate, kenneth matiba.

''the big test for the country will come after the
elections'', says hilary ng'weno, editor-in-chief of the 'weekly
review ' magazine published in nairobi.

for the first time since 1969, adds ng'weno, there will be
an opposition in parliament. ''that institution will inevitably
change for the better as the opposition keeps the government
on its toes''.

since kenya reverted to political pluralism in late 1991,
it has been jolted by politically inspired violence reminiscent
of the pre-independence era when kenyan nationalists took on
british colonial rule.

the opposition still cries for ''uhuru'' (freedom) justice
and truth in a country that gained independence in december
1963.

the current struggle, spearheaded by veteran politicians
jaramogi oginga odinga (leader of ford-kenya party), matiba and
former kenyan vice president mwai kibaki (leader of the
democratic party) aims to lay to rest the moi era.

''if moi does not know what 'vox populi vox dei' means,
he will learn it on election day'', a ford-asili parliamentary
candidate in kangema constiutency, central province, john michuki,
said at weekend rally here. (more/ips)


kenya: country's (2)

but with the four main presidential candidates wielding
support on ethnic lines rather than national issues, tuesday's
election is likely to end up in conflict instead of a democratic
contest.

although kanu had appeared to enjoy nationwide support until
the advent of multipartyism, it has lost much ground in
ethnic-based strongholds of ford-asili, ford-kenya and the
democratic party.

ethnicity played a part in the formation of some of the
political parties in kenya, but this does not mean they cannot
win countrywide support.

but with the kanu leadership reportedly dishing out money to
oil the party's campaign machinery, even long-time observers of
political trends in kenya fail to predict which party is assured
of the presidency and majority seats in the next parliament.

''money from questionable sources flowed like water for the
purchase of votes, voters' documents, and even candidates'',
kenya's leading daily tabloid the 'nation' said in its
front-page commentary monday.

pointing out that it was time for kenyans to decide on the
country's future leadership, the paper warned: ''kenyans should
make no mistake, as a country we are at crossroads.

''kenya's once booming economy is under severe pressure and
can no longer bear the weight of the effects of the
international recession as well as the effects of accumulated
corruption and inefficiency that is pulling it down.

''the long period of political uncertainty has brought
international trading activity almost to a halt and the
suspension of new aid is having a greater effect than most
government leaders are willing to acknowledge'', the paper
added.

except for the publication of election manifestos, there is
little policy substance in the party debates.

according to another local daily, 'the standard', campaigns
have not based on selling policies but ''finishing'' rival
candidates.

the fairness of the poll -- monitored by international
observers -- will be the only result that matters for the
stability and progress of kenya.

but with political violence unabated and the opposition
accusing the government of dirty tricks, there is some doubt on
that score. (end/ips/ar/oa/92)

Newsgroups: soc.culture.african