By. Jackie Kwanusu
As stakeholders converged in Nakuru, Mombasa, Kisumu from the 22nd of June to the 24th of June 2022 for the regional ESAP trainings, their main agenda was to be trained as trainers on electoral security to ensure that voters, candidates, pollworkers, observers, and other actors involved in an election experience the process free from fear or harm and to ensure that sensitive election materials are kept secure.
Dr. Kamindo the Chairperson of the ESAP from the IEBC did reiterate the tremendous milestones that the ESAP project has undertaken to get here, “Its a dream come true that was borne in 2012”, she said, acknowledging the collaborations that have been instrumental to bringing the ESAP programme to fruition, she invited the stakeholders drawn from the National Police Service, Civil Society groups, IPOA to feel at home since this programme is their child that needs to be cascaded to the Wanjikus.
The synergy of the stakeholders was notable in the mood of delivery and participation in the various activities of the three days symposium. The categories of stakeholders involved in the security arrangement programme were grouped into state actors (IEBC,NPS,NCIC,NGAO, Judiciary, State broadcaster, ODPP, ORPP,PPLC,NIS and the National government) and the second category of non- state actors were categorized as: Civil society Organizations Private media houses, Faith based organizations, Political parties, Politicians, business lobby groups, election observers/monitors, KEPSA, NGOs, CBOs, traditional leaders and groupings, LSK and development partners/foreign missions.
As IMLU we recognize the importance of this strategic partnerships and collaborations with key stakeholders, more so the IEBC under the ESAP programme as it forms the basis of our electoral strategy as we monitor, document and respond to issues of electoral security and SGBV while advocating for a society free from torture and human rights violations as we continue to advocate for policies around electoral security and participate in this fundamental human rights as enshrined in article 38 of the constitution of Kenya.