Thread by @gathara

Dear Kenyans,
The argument against 2022 talk isn't that it's wrong, but that it's futile. NARC was formed 2 months to the 2002 election; PNU 3 months to the 2007 poll; Jubilee Alliance came 2 months to the 2013 election; and @JubileePartyK less than a year to the 2017 poll.

What should really be driving 2022 talk is not who will stand for which party but rather the need for comprehensive electoral reform to address the issues that have crippled previous elections and delivered questionable outcomes.

It is sad how the issue of overhauling our problematic electoral system - the country's greatest security threat - has seemingly fallen prey to #HandshakeManenos.

Following 2013, we were asked to #AcceptAndMoveOn and it wasn't till a year to the 2017 poll that politicians woke up to demand change. By then it was too late to do anything other than tinker at the margins. We must not repeat that mistake again. The time for reform is now.

The talk of @WilliamSRuto's prospects in 2022 will undoubtedly continue, but it would be much better for Kenyans in general if we actually took the opportunity to interrogate how those polls will be carried out and what needs to change if we're to safeguard their credibility.

Don't forget that none of our current political outfits is actually interested in free and fair elections. They all want a system they can manipulate which is why they prefer to run down the clock and then come together for "minimum reforms" closer to the poll.

What we as citizens should demand is comprehensive reforms now so there is time to audit the past elections, clarify roles, procure equipment, train personnel, dispose of any court challenges and carry out public education campaigns so everyone knows how the system should work.