Taking a cue from Juliani weds Lilian, A bill to veil 2022 election results from televisions strikes

Musician Juliani and Lilian once again rocked the internet when it emerged that they had gotten married. The newest couple in town covertly organized a private wedding which was attended by close friends.

Juliani’s wife Lilian previously disengaged from a union with the Machakos governor Alfred Mutua. Juliani Kenya whose real name is Julius Owino is a renowned musician in the country having produced hit songs such as “Utawala”.

The shocker bill

While Kenyans probed Juliani’s wedding, business in parliament buildings reeled with a shocking piece of draft legislation. Introduced to the house by majority leader Amos Kimunya, the bill seeks to amend the Elections Act. The timing of this bill aside, its most significant aspect is that it looks to block streaming of 2022 election results on television.

Juliani and Brenda Wairimu

As the dramatic and much publicized governor Mutua and Lilian separations played out a few months ago, spotlight was directed to Juliani. He was at the time ‘just a friend’ to Lilian, having separated from Brenda Wairimu.

While it was perfectly legal in the previous 2017 elections, the displayed TV results proved unhelpful after they were found to be marred with illegalities and irregularities. Mirroring the Juliani and Lilian story, democracy and by extension electoral justice has proved elusive in Kenya. The suspicion that strikes during electioneering period is not only persistent, but incurable.

A High-stakes presidential election

The presidential elections in Kenya are intense with scheming and arithmetic, as the country’s political bigshots jostle their way to Statehouse. Juliani remarks from his trademark hit “Utawala” “They do anything for power, they lose their heads for presidency.”  This is an artistically expressed common observation in Kenya’s politics.

For this reason, the timing, intent and letter of the bill are widely viewed as clever attempts by some quarters to temper with elections. Deputy President William Ruto’s allies in parliament are set to shoot it down. Commissioner Abdi Guliye from the Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission clarified that if the bill is passed, then the 2022 results will not be displayed on screens.

Raila Ruto duel

After the hyped earthquake merger between DP Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance and Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress, it became much clear on where the weight lies going into the polls. The designated third force One Kenya Alliance (OKA) was almost thrust into oblivion following Ruto’s masterstroke.

While OKA leaders like former vice president Kalonzo Musyoka remain in place, speculation is rife that they might bolt out to the opposite Raila Odinga Azimio camp. The former prime minister leads the Azimio la Umoja caucus, that is gearing to take on the Dr. Ruto led Kenya Kwanza Alliance.

Juliani wedding photographers

As Juliani and his wife Lilian settle in to their marriage, social media frenzy could be a new-found ally to the civil society. Kenyans on twitter should put in the same effort to mobilize against retrogressive legislations. They quickly dug up photos of the suspected Juliani wedding photographers anyway. As little as they seem, the gains made in Kenya’s democracy must be safeguarded.