US sends urgent message to Kenya

juma chrispinus

October 26, 2017 9:54 AM

Kenyans, listen and listen carefully.

The Washington based Donald Trump administration has expressed concerns over the repeat poll, hours after President Uhuru Kenyatta assured that the polls will continue as scheduled.

The US on Wednesday demanded that the political factions in Kenya should consider dialogue to resolve the ongoing impasse even as the nation embarks on voting in a historically unprecedented democratic exercise.

"The United States urges all Kenyans to remain calm, reject violence, and uphold the principles of their Constitution in the election scheduled for tomorrow," US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

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She added: "We are deeply concerned about the continuing efforts of both parties to interfere with and undermine the independent operation of the electoral commission, the judiciary, and other essential institutions.”

Kenyans on Thursday returned to the ballot even nearly half of the country boycott the crucial exercise.

The Supreme Court on September 1 annulled President Uhuru Kenyatta’s reelection, citing "irregularities" and mismanagement by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Meanwhile, Opposition leader Raila Odinga has urged his own supporters to stay at home after protest amid forming a Resistance movement, a transformation from the National Super Alliance (Nasa).

"It is essential that there be immediate, open, and transparent dialogue between all parties and the IEBC to resolve the issues. Now is not the time for strife to divide Kenya, it is a time for all Kenyans to come together,” the Donald Trump administration noted.

The statement from the US comes amid immediate withdrawal of international observers in the elections.

juma chrispinus