Just issued by Annan
Message from Mr. Kofi Annan, on behalf of the African Union
Panel of Eminent African Personalities, to the People of Kenya
On 4 March 2013, Kenyans will vote in much anticipated and historic elections.
Through these elections, the first to be held under a new constitution, Kenyans will exercise their sovereign right to choose their next president, as well as local and regional leaders.
Never before will the Kenyan people have a greater say in how their country is run.
These will be the most ambitious elections held in Kenya and take place at a critical juncture in the country's history.
As Kenya prepares to go to the polls, we should recall the remarkable progress made over the last few years.
After one of the darkest episodes in the country's recent history, following the 2007 elections, Kenya is once again on a positive trajectory.
Kenyans are working to heal deep wounds, to forge national cohesion and unity, and to build an institutional framework to safeguard their nation's future.
Over the course of five years, the foundations for sustainable peace, stability and justice through the rule of law and respect for human rights, are gradually being strengthened.
Kenya now has one of the most progressive constitutions on the African continent, which
guarantees to promote and protect the social, economic and political rights of all citizens.
Public institutions have begun important reforms.
The judiciary now enjoys the confidence and trust of the Kenyan people and stands as a key pillar in this transformative process. The Judiciary must be allowed to fulfil the role envisaged for it under the Constitution.
Kenyans have worked hard for these changes, and embraced the opportunity to build a more equitable, stable and prosperous nation.
None of these achievements would have been possible without the determination of all Kenyans to engage in serious reforms — from politicians and public officials, to the business community, religious leaders, civil society organizations, women's groups and the media.
These efforts are yielding results. The economy is showing sustained growth with the potential to attract productive investment and create decent jobs and opportunities for all.
The successful conduct of the elections on 4 March is critical to determining whether Kenya can maintain this positive momentum and achieve its potential.
The elections must be peaceful, free and fair. They must be conducted in accordance with the rule of law. They must be carried out with integrity, and must reflect the will of the people. Only then will national unity, stability and cohesion be safeguarded.
Yet, intimidation, electoral violence and ethnic rivalry have the potential to undermine and jeopardise the whole process.
Kenyans remember the terrible consequences of the post-electoral violence in 2008. The country stood on the precipice of self-destruction.
And that is why recent violent events and increasing tensions in the run-up to the elections are deeply worrying.
Kenya cannot risk a return to those dark days.
I urge all Kenyans to take the necessary steps to ensure that violence and hatred play no part in these elections.
The police service, which has begun a long overdue process of reform, has a critical role to play to ensure safety and security.
I welcome the commitment of all presidential candidates to campaign peacefully, and ensure free and fair elections.
Political, religious and community leaders also must condemn any action or language aimed at dividing or inciting the people.
Whilst it is the duty of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to safeguard the integrity of these elections, it is the responsibility of everyone — political leaders, their parties, the security services and the media, and the Kenyan people — to ensure that the elections are conducted in a safe and peaceful manner.
The results of the elections - freely and fairly arrived at - must be respected, and if disputes arise, they must be settled through the appropriate judicial mechanisms.
Elections are not a winner-take-all political competition in which unsuccessful candidates and their supporters are marginalised. On the contrary, elections with integrity confer legitimacy on the winner and security for the loser. When conducted with integrity, electoral processes are at the heart of a democracy's ability to resolve conflict non-violently.
It is important that all Kenyans have trust and confidence that the next Government will serve in everyone's interests.
My fellow Panel members, Benjamin Mkapa and Graça Machel, and I are convinced that Kenyans want peace and stability, and that the forthcoming elections should deliver on their hopes and aspirations.
On our regular visits to Kenya since 2008, we have had the opportunity to engage with Kenyans from all walks of life.
We have been continually reminded of their optimism and their determination to build a better future.
Kenya and its people deserve no less.
Kofi A. Annan, 23 February 2013
Ujumbe kutoka kwa Mheshimiwa Kofi Annan,
Kwa niaba ya Jopo la Watu Mashuhuri wa Umoja wa Afrika
kwa Watu wa Kenya
Tarehe 4 Machi 2013, Wakenya wanatarajia kupiga kura katika uchaguzi wa kihistoria.
Kupitia uchaguzi huu, wa kwanza kufanyika chini ya katiba mpya, Wakenya watatumia fursa na haki yao kumchagua Rais ajaye ikiwa pamoja na viongozi wengine kwenye ngazi mbali mbali kuanzia ngazi za Mitaa, Kanda na hadi kitaifa.
Kamwe kabla itakuwa watu wa Kenya kuwa na sauti zaidi katika jinsi nchi yao ni kukimbia.
Haya itakuwa uchaguzi wengi kabambe uliofanyika nchini Kenya na kuchukua nafasi katika wakati muhimu katika historia ya nchi. Hii itakuwa fursa ya kwanza ya kipekee itakayowawezesha Wananchi wa Kenya kutumia uhuru wao Kuwachagua viongozi wao katika kipindi hiki muhimu cha historia mpya ya Kenya.
Uchaguzi huu ni sehemu muhimu katika historia ya Kenya ukizingatia kwamba ni uchaguzi wa kwanza kufanyika kufuatia uchaguzi uliokuwa na matukio ya kusikitisha ya Mwaka 2007. Ni matumaini yetu kuwa Wakenya watatumia uchuguzi huu kuimarisha umoja wa kitaifa na kuzizika tofauti zao, zilizojitokeza katika uchaguzi wa mwaka 2007. Huu ni wakati wa kutibu majeraha ya uchaguzi uliopita na kujenga mshikamamo wa kitaifa, na kujenga uchumi na Kenya mpya.
Katika kipindi cha miaka mitano iliyopita, misingi imara na madhubuti inayosimamia utawala wa sheria, haki za binadamu na amani imeendelea kujengwa na kuimarishwa. Hivi sasa Kenya ina moja ya katiba ambayo bora katika bara la Afrika, ambayo inatoa fursa ya kuboresha, kulinda na kuendeleaza jamii, uchumi,, na haki za kisiasa kwa wananchi wote ikiwa pamoja na kujenga miundombinu ya kitaasisi katika haya mabadiliko muhimu nchini Kenya.
Kwa upande wa mabadiliko ya ndani upande wa Sheria na Mahakama, Taasisi hiyo imejijengea na kujipatia heshima, ikiwa pamoja na kupata imani kutoka kwa wananchi wa Kenya katika kipindi hiki cha mpito na mabadiliko. Idara ya Mahakama ni muhimili muhimu, hivyo inapaswa kutekeleza majukumu yake ya kikatiba bila woga na bila kuingiliwa na kutekeleza majukumu yake chini ya Katiba mpya.
Wakenya wamejitoa mhanga na wamefanya kazi ngumu kufikia katika hatua ya sasa hivi, hivyo ni muhimu kuendelea kutumia fursa na kujenga nchi iliyo imara na yenye maendeleo kwa wote. Haya mafanikio yasingewezekana bila juhudi za wakenya wote katika kuhakikisha kuwa mabadiliko ya ndani yanafanikiwa. Hii isingwezekana kama Viongozi wa Kisiasa, Watumishi Serikalini, watu kutoka katika sekta ya binafsi, Viongozi wa Kidini, Asasi zisizo za Kiserikali, Makundi ya Akina mama na vyombo vya Habari. Jitihada hizi zimezaa matunda. Uchumi wa Kenya unaonyesha dalili za kukuwa vizuri na utakuwa na uwezo wa kuvutia Uwekezaji, kuongeza ajira mpya na kutoa fursa kwa wote.
Uchaguzi wa tarehe 04 Machi 20013, kama ukiwa huru, wa haki na wa amani utakuwa muhimu katika kuhamua hatima ya Kenya kuweza kufikia kiwango chake cha maendeleo.
Hivyo, Uchaguzi lazima uwe huru, wa haki na amani. Uchaguzi huu lazima ufuate misingi ya Utawala bora wa Kisheria. Lazima usimamiwe kwa uadilifu na maamuzi ya wakenya yaheshimiwe. Kwa kufanya hivyo, Wakenya wataweza kudumisha na kulinda umoja na mshikamano. Hata hivyo, vitisho, vurugu za uchaguzi na uhasama wa kikabila vinaweza kutumika vibaya na kuvuruga uchaguzi.
Wakenya bado wanakumbuka yaliyojiri katika uchaguzi uliopita wa mwaka 2008. Kwa mazingira hayo, Kenya ipo njia panda kuelekea katika kujibomoa kama taifa. Kwa maana hiyo, matukio na vurugu za hivi karibuni ni dhahiri kwamba hatua muhimu zinapaswa kuchukuliwa kuzuia matukio kama hayo yasije kuturejeesha katika hali ya kutisha ya mwaka 2008.
Hivyo ninawaasa, Wakenya wote, kuchukuwa tahadhari na hatua muhimu, kuhakikisha kuwa yaliyojitokeza katika uchuguzi uliopita hayatajitokeza katika uchaguzi ujao. Jeshi la Polisi lina nafasi muhimu kuhakikisha usalama wa raia.
Ninafuraha na karibisha dhamira ya wagombea urais, kufanya kampeni za amani na kistaarabu, na kuhakikisha kuwa uchaguzi unakuwa huru na wa haki.
Viongozi wa kisiasa, kidini na kijamii, wakemee kwa nguvu zote lugha yeyote yanayoashiria kuwagawa na kuwachochea Wakenya. Tume Huru ya Uchaguzi na Mipaka ina wajibu wa kusimamia uadilifu. Wakenya wote wana wajibu wa kuhakikisha kuwa zoezi zima la uchaguzi linakuwa huru na haki. Viongozi wa kisiasa, vyama vya siasa, vyombo vya Ulinzi na Usalama, Vyombo vya Habari na Wakenya wote wana wajibu na jukumu la kuhakikisha kuwa uchaguzi unakuwa salama na wa amani.
Matokeo ya Uchaguzi- Ulio Huru na wa Haki yakipatikana lazima yaheshimiwe, na kama yana pingamizi, basi utaratibu wa kisheria ya kuyapinga ufuatwe. Uchaguzi siyo mashindano ambayo mshindi anachukuwa kila kitu, na mshindani aliyeshidnwa na watu wake basi wanapigwa vita ya kuwadhoofisha. Kinachotakiwa, ni kwamba mchakato wa uchaguzi na matokeo yake, unamthibitisha mshindi na kumlinda aliyeshindwa. Uchaguzi ukisimamiwa vizuri unatoa fursa kwa kukuwa kwa demokrasia na kutatua matatizo kwa njia ya amani.
Hivyo ni muhimu kwa wakenya kuamini kuwa uchaguzi ujao utazaa serikali ambayo itafanya kazi kwa maslahi ya wakenya wote.
Wanajopo wenzangu, Benjamin Mkapa na Graça Machel,na mimi tunaamini kuwa Wakenya wanahitaji amani na utulivu katika uchaguzi ujao, na hivyo uchaguzi huyo utakidhi matarajio yao. Katika safari zetu za mara kwa mara za kuja Kenya tangu mwaka 2008, tulipata fursa ya kushirikiana na Wakenya kutaka kada mbali mbali. Wamekuwa wakiendelea kutukumbusha kuwa wanatarajia kujenga nchi iliyo bora na yenye mafanikio. Kenya na Watu wake wanastahili kupata heshima na fursa hiyo.
Kofi Annan A., Februari 23, 2013
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