Independent Observers urge peaceful resolution of Kenya vote

A group of independent observers at the just concluded Kenyan election said the presidential election corresponds to their own tally, while turning down claims of malpractices.

The observation group by name of ELOG said they had dispatched over 5,000 observers across 290 constituencies in 47 counties in the whole of Kenya.

The election observers reiterated that it is up to the Supreme Court of Kenya to validate the declaration made by the chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission Wafula Chebukati.

Controversies had earlier greeted the election after four of the seven electoral commissioners of Kenya’s presidential election told journalists they could not support the “opaque nature” of the final phase of the vote-verification process.

In a similar development, the European Union has commended Kenyans for peaceful elections and urged parties to resolve the remaining concerns through legal means.

In a statement, the EU High Representative Josep Borrell said the bloc had taken “note of the results by the IEBC declaring Mr William Ruto winner of the election and the decision to appeal by Mr Raila Odinga”.

The statement then called on all political and societal leaders to avoid any violence and call for calm. It added that it is time for political leadership and responsibility from all those linked to the electoral process,”

The European Union’s statement came hours after Mr Odinga, the runner-up in Kenya’s presidential election, rejected the results as “null and void” and a democratic setback.

The former prime minister narrowly lost to Mr Ruto – who was declared the winner with 50.5% of the vote.

For now, Mr Ruto – who won at his first shot at the presidency – is regarded as the president-elect, though the transition from the presidency of Uhuru Kenyatta may be delayed if a court needs to make a ruling.