AU, UN urge peace ahead of Kenya’s election re-run

The African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) officials on Sunday night released a joint statement urging and calling for peace and calmness in Kenya during and after the election repeat, for a safe Kenya.

Antonio Guterres, the UN General Secretary and Moussa Faki Mahamat, the AU Chairperson have called upon the two fighting parties of Jubilee, the ruling party and NASA, the main opposition party in Kenya, to come to terms and ensure safety of the Kenyans after the repeat polls.

The Secretary General and the Chairperson of the Commission urge all political leaders, parties and their supporters to create conditions for peaceful election and refrain from any act of violence – partly read the statement.

The officials also urged the police to make sure that they exercise their role of keeping peace and security in the country, but in a way that will not harm or hurt the civilians in Kenya, because they all have equal rights.

‘The Secretary General and the Chairperson of the Commission stress the need for the Kenyan security services to exercise restraint, use minimal force in performing their duties and respect the freedom and political liberties of all Kenyans.’ –further read the statement issued on Sunday.

Kenya is having her repeat polls on Thursday, 26 October, 2017. The initial election was held early August, but unfortunately was nullified by the Supreme Court which explained having sighted irregularities and illegalities that helped to see Uhuru Kenyatta announced as president elect.

It was originally planned to have only Raila Odinga and the incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta on the repeat polls’ ballot paper, until Mr. Odinga pulled out of the repeat polls, and the High Court added another candidate from the minority party to contest with Mr. kenyatta.

Mr. Odinga promised not to run through the repeat polls basing on the fact that the IEBC, electoral commission, had over looked fulfilling his conditions like having the top officials resign from their posts.

Raila Odinga and his NASA party members claim that the repeat polls’ process and results are expected to be worse than the August one, hence not wanting to engage with cheats – he says.

Raila’s claims have recently been backed by the resignation of Dr. Roselyn Akombe, an IEBC official, who stated that the commission was not set to hold a  credible election repeat.

Wafula Chebukati, an IEBC chairperson had also earlier informed that the electoral commission would not be able to hold credible polls, sighting the divisions in the commission.

However, Uhuru Kenyatta, the President insists that the election must take place on Thursday 26 October.

The world is set with attention on Kenya to see what the situation will be during and after the election, since Raila Odinga said he would lead protests on the day, to make sure the polls don’t happen.

The AU and the UN still in their statement said that they are also closely watching the situation in Kenya and will help the country hold free and fair election, and safety afterwards.

Reporter: Shamilah Namuddu