Kenyans upbeat about elections

By Noimot Olayiwola/Staff Reporter

Ambassador Galma Mukhe Boru addressing the audience

Kenyan residents in Qatar will have the opportunity to vote in their country’s next general elections slated for March 2013, Kenyan Ambassador Galma Mukhe Boru has said.He was speaking at the Madaraka Day celebrations to commemorate Kenya’s 49th anniversary since the country attained internal self-rule, preceding full independence from the UK on December 12, 1963.More than 1,500 Kenyans joined their countrymen worldwide to mark the day at an event held on Friday at the Regency Hall. The gathering paid homage to those killed in the Villaggio mall fire by observing a minute’s silence.The ambassador also sent condolences to the families of Kenyans who lost their lives in various grenade attacks in Nairobi and Wajir counties, last week.“As you may be aware, at the end of this year or early next year, Kenya will elect not only a new president with a running mate, but also for the first time elect senators, county governors, county women representatives  and members of parliament,” he told the gathering.He explained that the next general elections will provide an opportunity for the first time for the Kenyan diaspora to vote.  “We may not have details at the moment on how the elections will be conducted outside the country, my advice is when the plan materialises, it is for each  and everyone of you to lead by example, and vote for people of integrity rather than along tribal lines,” the ambassador said. He further said: “Kenya is crying for leaders and not tribal kings and you as the diaspora do have a chance to have a chance alongside fellow Kenyans at home to elect patriotic and transformational leaders that can take our nation to greater heights of development and prosperity,” he said.Ambassador Boru urged Kenyans in Qatar to be loyal and honest to the government of Qatar and to individual organisations where they work.“Be law abiding, friendly as we have always been, trustworthy, reliable, dependable, hardworking, tolerant and patient,” he urged them.Representatives from each women and men’s group including junior and senior youth, women’s and men’s representatives and Kenyan elders delivered speeches.Among them was a senior youth representative Euphracia Kalii Mutuku who said: “As a youth, mine is a genuine call for the resuscitation and preservation of authentic African cultures especially by the Kenyan diaspora so that the next generations of Kenyans in diaspora have an opportunity to know and live those cultures and values.”Another senior youth representative, Steve Odiembo Omolo mentioned plans in engaging diaspora in nation-building through pursuit of a comprehensive strategy as one of the flagship projects under the financial sector under Kenya’s National Development Agenda Vision 2030.“This will ensure creative growth and implementation of the potentials of the Kenyans in diaspora in the achievement of vision 2030, and also eradication of poverty and creation of employment and individual independence to the people of Kenya,” he said.Highlight of the event were various traditional and modern Kenyan dances and songs.