NAIROBI Tyler Ervin Texans Jersey , Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The preparations for next week's polls in Kenya have entered home stretch with the majority of citizens optimistic the exercise will be peaceful though raising concern over high octane campaign rhetoric that may jeopardize social cohesion.
Kenyans from all walks of life are eagerly waiting for the voting day on Aug. 8 to elect a new president, lawmakers, county governors and ward representatives as stipulated in the country's constitution.
The hotly contested elections have attracted the attention of neighboring countries and overseas partners owing to their profound implication on the country's political and economic landscape.
So far Braxton Miller Texans Jersey , foreign election observer missions have already dispatched teams to assess Kenya's preparedness to conduct peaceful, credible and transparent national polls.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has fast-tracked establishment of a solid electoral infrastructure to ensure the forthcoming polls are devoid of hitches.
Leading political parties have at the same time intensified the scramble for the 19.5 million voters through well oiled and sophisticated campaigns across the country.
The incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga have been traversing the country to win the hearts and minds of voters.
Latest surveys indicated the two candidates are neck to neck in a tight race hence their intensified battle for undecided voters who might determine the ultimate winner of the presidential race.
Kenyatta has harnessed the trappings of incumbency to make a forceful pitch for his re-election while Odinga has as well run a slick campaign in his fourth attempt to become Kenya's president.
Experts are unanimous that the upcoming polls are unprecedented in terms of competition and the level of sophistication and their outcomes will have far-reaching effect on Kenya's stability, economic progress and engagement with the rest of the world.
Barrack Muluka Nick Martin Texans Jersey , a Nairobi based political analyst, said that Kenya is navigating a tricky political path thanks to the hotly contested battle for crucial elective seats like presidency and governorship during next Tuesday's polls.
"Our country is about to usher a new beginning in our journey for self renewal and discovery. We are a young democracy that has not disappointed in terms of peaceful transfer of power and we hope our institutions are strong enough to guarantee realization of that agenda in this year's polls," Muluka remarked during a live television debate this week.
Kenya's new constitution that was enacted in 2010 roots for political pluralism in order to promote tolerance and unity in a multi-ethnic society.
Muluka noted that Kenya's nascent democracy has withstood inter-ethnic tensions Jaelen Strong Jersey , class divide and foreign meddling thanks to the resilience of its independent institutions like judiciary and parliament.
He warned that politics based on ethnic mobilization and pervasive influence of campaign money bodes ill for Kenya's stability in this election cycle.
"Our fragile national cohesion can be torn asunder if we allow ethnicity or other sectarian issues to define our political discourse. Aspirants for elective posts must therefore champion peace, unity and tolerance for diversity while on campaign trail," said Muluka.
The preparedness of Kenya's electoral body to oversee peaceful Benardrick McKinney Jersey , fair and transparent polls has dominated the political discourse in the country in the recent past.
Both the ruling Jubilee coalition and opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) have voiced divergent views on whether the electoral agency will be a competent, objective and non partisan referee during the upcoming polls.
President Kenyatta and his lieutenants have reiterated their confidence on the ability of IEBC to carry out credible polls while his NASA rival, Raila Odinga and his co-principals have expressed doubt on the impartiality and technical competence of the electoral body.
Despite harboring divergent views on the electoral process Kevin Johnson Jersey , both Kenyatta and Odinga have vowed to concede defeat in case they are trounced in a fair manner for the sake of peace and stability in the country.
The business community has welcomed reassurances by the two main presidential candidates that they are committed to peaceful transfer of power regardless of election outcomes.
Vimal Shah, Chairman of Mkenya Daima, a private sector lobby Tyler Ervin Jersey , told Xinhua on Wednesday that local investors are optimistic the August 8 polls will not suffer a major setback thanks to the strength of independent institutions.
"We have confidence in key institutions like IEBC, Judiciary and Security services that will be entrusted with midwiving a political transition in this country during next week's polls," Shah remarked
He added that peaceful elections will improve Kenya's enviable stature as a regional hub for transport Braxton Miller Jersey , commerce, manufacturing and innovation.
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