AU-COMESA Head Chairs Discussion Between The Intl Observers and Main Opposition Candidate, Meets incumbent candidate and the UNCT

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Chair of the joint AU- COMESA Election  Observer Mission to Kenya, HE Ernest Bai Koroma  on Sunday embarked on a back to back consultations with the leading candidates and a host of other elections stakeholders in Kenya. He started off  by chairing a very impactful meeting of the eleven international elections observer missions and Kenya's main opposition leader the Rt Hon. Raila Odinga. Mr Odinga was accompanied by his deputy Hon. Martha Karua & senior officials. Former President Koroma acknowledged the centrality of Mr Ordinga to the whole electoral process, including the much anticipated peaceful transition. He also underscored the importance a peaceful and stable Kenya to the peace and stability of the East African region and to the rest of Africa.


The Odinga delegation responded with a recollection of the challenges they experienced with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the courts since 2002 through to 2017 as reasons underpinning their misgivings.  They stated that they were unclear about the technology being deployed and that announcement of false results would be unacceptable, much the same way as any attempt to hijack or unduly delay the transmission of results. They also raised concerns about the security of their agents at polling centers and urged the security agents to treat their agents well . Mr Odinga further registered dissatisfaction with the responsiveness of the IEBC and emphasized on the need for more inclusiveness and transparency regarding its activities.


"The process must be inclusive and transparent," said the main opposition leader. His running mate, Martha Karua asserted that: "we do not think that there is any reason to delay the announcement of results. Never have the results been delayed beyond the second or at the maximum, the third day," she stated. She also suggested that the IEBC be  impressed upon to endeavour to release the results within record time. "It's the right and proper thing to do rather than subject the nation to anxiety," Karua emphasized. 


Former President Koroma also had a crucial interaction with the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Kenya, along with several leading local civil society organisation (CSOs). The CSOs include the Interreligious Council and Women mediation groups. This meeting was convened by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General  (SRSG) for the Horn of Africa, Hannah Tete. The SRSG said that it was crucial for the AU- COMESA head of mission and his colleagues to compare notes with such influential local actors in order to strengthen the ongoing efforts for a peaceful and acceptable outcome. 


" I am pleased with these strong stakeholders collaborative efforts for a peaceful & acceptable outcome.Thanks to the SRSG and the UN Team for their great service to the people of Kenya 🇰🇪.

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