Migori Senatorial aspirant Kennedy Oluoch has called for a fair and inclusive political environment ahead of the upcoming elections, urging President William Ruto and political leaders to foster democracy and ensure free competition.
Oluoch, a prominent figure in Migori politics, emphasized that aspirants who previously contested and failed should not be sidelined but instead provided with an enabling atmosphere to engage in future elections.
“Democracy thrives on fairness and inclusivity. Many aspirants wish to contest, but if the political space is manipulated to favor certain individuals, then the competition is neither free nor fair,” said Oluoch.
“We cannot suffocate the electorate with predetermined candidates and expect democratic legitimacy. Every leader should have a fair shot at serving the people.”
He also raised concerns about ongoing early campaigns by some politicians, terming them unconstitutional and detrimental to democratic principles.
“What we are witnessing now is a blatant violation of electoral laws. Campaigning before the official period undermines the credibility of our elections and breeds unnecessary political tension,” Oluoch stated.
Concerns Over Party Primaries and Democracy in Luo Nyanza
As party primaries approach, Oluoch decried what he termed as the erosion of democracy within the Luo community, where political loyalty often takes precedence over free choice.
“Democracy in our region is under siege. We are being coerced into following a specific political script, which is against the principles of free will and fair competition,” he lamented.
He warned against what he described as “party chauvinism,” where politicians are pressured into unwavering loyalty to certain political factions at the expense of democratic engagement.
“We must reject the idea that democracy means singing to the tune of a few individuals. Leaders should be chosen based on their vision and ability to deliver, not because they are favored by political elites,” he added.
On Government Appointments and National Development
Oluoch also commented on the recent appointment of Principal Secretaries, acknowledging the need for broad-based government representation. However, he cautioned against political favoritism in public service appointments.
“The only wrong approach is attempting to undermine the credibility of our electoral process. Kenyans with the right qualifications and merit deserve opportunities to serve in government and improve service delivery,” he remarked.
He criticized those who have turned against the government after failing to secure positions, saying they are now engaged in unnecessary political distractions.
“Some individuals are now working hard to sabotage the administration because they were not accommodated. Their sole agenda is to criticize everything, even policies that benefit Kenyans,” he said.
Oluoch further defended the inclusion of leaders such as Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, arguing that experienced individuals are necessary to stabilize the economy and drive national development. “
Bringing in competent leaders like Mudavadi is a strategic move to rescue our economy, not a ploy to derail the country’s development agenda,” he asserted.
Call for Transparency and Fair Elections
The senatorial hopeful emphasized the need for objective media engagement and transparency in governance. He called on the media to focus on factual reporting and highlight the progress being made in the country.
“There is significant development happening across the country, but negative political propaganda is drowning out the positive work being done. We must tell the truth and let Kenyans judge based on facts,” Oluoch said.
He further called for a transparent election process, where all candidates are given an equal chance to vie for leadership. “
If the upcoming elections are conducted fairly, Kenyans will see and feel the impact. We must insist on credibility in our democratic processes,” he emphasized.