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Sunday May 7 2017 In Summary

President Uhuru Kenyatta was officially unveiled as the Jubilee candidate on Saturday in a series of ceremonies held by parties that support his re-election.

The endorsement came a day after National Super Alliance leader Raila Odinga was in turn handed the mantle as the candidate of the united opposition ticket.

There are things to celebrate about these developments. To a certain extent, it shows that Kenyas democracy is continuing to gain in maturity.

There are now two main political blocs, in contrast to the splintered parties that used to be witnessed in the 1990s.

Also, it is expected the election will be hotly contested, something which cannot be said of many other countries in the region.

Still, there is major uncertainty about the status of preparations for the election.

It is essential that all parties do their utmost to support the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission so that it can be ready to deliver a free, fair and credible vote.

Politicians should realise they have a major duty to ensure the country does not go back to the violence and disruption that marked the vote in 2007.

They should restrain themselves in their public pronouncements and should emphasise to their supporters that elections are not a do-or-die battle.

The framing of issues is also important. It is unfortunate that nearly all Kenyan elections are won or lost on the question of ethnic mobilisation rather than based upon policy debates. This is something that should change.

The parties should come up with manifestoes that offer costed plans for what they hope to achieve for Kenyans between 2017 and 2022.

Elections in Kenya are a time when too much anxiety exerts a negative effect on the economy and on crucial sectors such as agriculture.

All this can be prevented if the politicians that have been given the mantle of leadership conduct themselves over the next three months with a measure of maturity, restraint and responsibility. The race is on. Let it be a clean and fair contest.

Politicians should tell their supporters that elections are not a do-or-die battle.

Somali militants used rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) to shoot down two US helicopters in

The grand homecoming party at Bukhungu stadium was organised by SportPesa.

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EDITORIAL: Let's nurture our parties and democracy in peace - Daily Nation