Eldoret Catholic Diocese Bishop Dominic Kimengich has hit out as a section of political leaders in the country for starting to engage in the 2022 general election campaigns way before the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) official announce the start of the campaign period.
Even though the upcoming general election is expected to be held on August 9, 2022, as per the constitutional provision, the country has already witnessed intense campaigns from all key presidential aspirants.
Deputy President William Ruto, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga and politicians allied to the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) led by Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi, Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetangula and Gideon Moi of KANU have all been going around the country to popularize their bids.
But even as the campaigns heat up, Bishop Kimengich said it was wrong for politicians to start engaging in early campaigns.
“It is normal for political temperatures to rise ahead of any general election and it is now a surprise of the current situation. The only issue is that politicians should have waited until the campaign period officially starts to start moving around the country,” said the Catholic clergy.
IEBC is expected to officially gazette the date of the 2022 General Election on January 19, 2021.
Political parties on the other hand will be required to submit their candidates for various seats by May 26, 2022, with primaries expected between March and April.
And even as the country nears the electioneering period, Bishop Kimengich is challenging politicians to focus on selling their agenda to the voters, and avoid utterances that might put the country’s peace and cohesion in jeopardy.
“Let the politicians do their campaigns but for us Kenyans, we need to ensure we remain peaceful and never allow to be divided by those seeking for votes,” he noted.
“As politicians, focus on your agenda which is okay but what we don’t want is violence during elections. Let’s desist from things that will affect our peace and unity,” added the Eldoret Catholic Diocese Bishop.
