EU deploys observer mission ahead of elections in Kenya

The European Union said it has deployed an EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Kenya to monitor the general elections slated for August 9.

The EU said in a statement released on Wednesday evening that its core team of the EU EOM consists of the 12 election experts who arrived in Nairobi on Monday.

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission has appointed Ivan Stefanec, Member of the European Parliament, as chief observer for the mission in Kenya.

Borrell said the elections in Kenya will be crucial for citizens to determine what future lies ahead; for electoral stakeholders to showcase their commitment to democracy, with fair competition among candidates in peaceful elections; and for the region at large to promote stability.

“The EU and Kenya share an important and strong relationship, and I am looking forward to the further concretization of the EU-Kenya strategic dialogue that I have launched during my visit to Nairobi in January 2022,” he added.

Kenya will go to the polls on August 9 to elect a new president and national lawmakers, as well as the governors and assemblies of its 47 counties.

The August election is set to be contested between major coalition — Kenya Kwanza headed by Deputy President William Ruto and Azimio la Umoja which led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga with backing from Kenyatta. Enditem