KENYA FACES DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGES: UCHAGUZI PLATFORM CALLS FOR URGENT REFORMS ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY.

BY NJOKI KARANJA 

In a press release marking International Day of Democracy, the Uchaguzi Platform, representing various Kenyan civil society organizations, has drawn attention to significant issues impacting democracy in Kenya. The Platform's statement underscores the ongoing challenges in civic freedoms, electoral reforms, and voter registration processes.

The release highlights concerns over the misuse of the Public Order Act and the potential impacts of the proposed Assembly and Demonstrations Bill, 2024, which could restrict peaceful assembly rights. Uchaguzi Platform also criticized the government’s response to civic space violations, such as abductions and excessive force against protesters, pointing to a lack of accountability and justice for affected individuals.

The statement calls for urgent reforms to address delays in the recruitment of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners and to ensure timely by-elections. Additionally, Uchaguzi Platform stresses the need for a national dialogue on electoral boundary delimitation and supports accelerating necessary legislative changes.

With over 600,000 ID card applications pending and rising daily, the Platform urges the government to expedite ID issuance and synchronize voter registration with civil registry updates. It also addresses the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence in elections, emphasizing the need for accurate information and oversight to combat misinformation.

Uchaguzi Platform concludes with a call for active citizen participation and adherence to democratic principles to strengthen Kenya’s democratic fabric.


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