By KABS KANU , Public Relations Officer, WIMAGE.
The Washington DC USA-based international elections observer organization, Women In Monitoring & Auditing Global Elections
(WIMAGE), one of the international elections observer teams that monitored and observed the August 9, 2022 Presidential Elections in Kenya, has published its prelimininary report on the hotly-contested elections. WIMAGE is an independent, non-partisan international elections observer organization that is working in partnership with the United Nations ( UN ), European Union ( EU) and the African Union ( AU ).
At the end of its monitoring and observer mission, WIMAGE set up the Global Agendas On Women (GAOW PROJECT), which is an action plan document/report to be implemented within the next electoral cycle. A more com[rehensive report on the GAOW Project will be published this week by the Public Relations Department of WIMAGE.
WIMAGE PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE KENYAN GENERAL
ELECTIONS OF THE 9TH AUGUST 2022 & THE GAOW PROJECT
(MONDAY 29TH AUGUST 2022)
INTRODUCTION
The mission of Women In Monitoring & Auditing Global Elections
(WIMAGE) is: to never waiver from our basic ideas, values, and goals in
campaigning for free and fair gender-based elections.
In line with this mission, WIMAGE was accredited by the
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to
observe the 2022 general elections in Kenya. In pursuance of that
mandate, WIMAGE deployed 11 observers across three counties:
Nairobi, Kiambu, and Migori. In general, our observers covered 37
polling centers and 70 polling stations. In consequence thereof,
WIMAGE makes the following preliminary observations on the conduct
of the Kenyan General Elections 2022. In general, women did very well
compared to the history of Kenyan General Elections; however, the
minimum threshold of two-thirds rules is not yet realized as so much is
needed.
OBSERVATIONS
- That in general, the elections in these areas went on smoothly with
slight delaying hiccups at the opening of polls in several polling
stations. However, this had little or no effect as the closing time
was compensated.
2. That the full IEBC personnel team was present at the polling
centers at the start of the voting process in all the polling centers
covered.
3. Procedures relating to opening and closing of the polls and
counting of ballots was generally followed professionally.
4. That in the polling centers, there was a notable number of women
participants: voters, party agents, IEBC personnel, police officers,
and other observers.
Findings
- It was observed that there was a gap for effective voter education
on expectant women or breastfeeding mothers. - It was observed that there were fewer women than men who
showed interest in political governance, the actual numbers being
14,137 Gents against 1,962 women, which represents a 7:1
ratio. - It was observed that more women were elected to public office
than in the previous general elections; however, the two-thirds
gender rule has not yet been realized. - It was concluded that 7 out of the 47 governors were women,
increasing from 6 in 2017. In addition, women got 3 senator
positions from the 47 counties and 26 members of parliament out
of 290.
GAOW PROJECT SET UP IN KENYA BY WIMAGE AFTER ELECTIONS
Global Agendas On Women (GAOW PROJECT) is an action plan
document/report to be implemented within the next electoral cycle.
GAOW project is designed by all the stakeholders advocating for more
women in governance in Kenya, including the Civil Society
Organizations, Political Parties, IEBC, Women in Leadership, The
Media, and Government Stakeholders within the next 90 days.
Through deep and thorough consultative meetings with the
stakeholders mentioned above, WIMAGE will develop a GAOW Project
Action Plan that will be implemented in Kenya through the help of the
power of Civil Society Organizations and other stakeholders to raise
the number of women participating in political leadership and
governance in the coming general elections in 2027.
Conclusion
The conduct of polls in the areas covered by WIMAGE Observers was
generally peaceful. We commend the IEBC for conducting polls that
generally met the International Standards for free and fair elections.
We also thank the IEBC for the opportunity to monitor and observe
the 9th of August General Elections.
WIMAGE Final Election Report will be released on 30th October 2022;
in addition, the GAOW Project will be published before the end of November 2022 so that the action
plan can be actualized
Signed by:
PATRICK KOIGI
PROGRAMS DIRECTOR – WIMAGE
