Unic Press UK: Kenyans are voting today in the rerun presidential election, despite the main opposition party’s call for a boycott.
The first election, which was held in August 2017, was annulled by the Supreme Court of Kenya over irregularities – non compliance with the electoral law by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta is seeking a second term of office as president in a contest that has been marred by tensions, killings and doubts as to the election being free and fair. Raila Odinga, leader of the main opposition, withdrew from the race.
On 17th October 2017, a high-ranking official at Kenya’s electoral commission, Roselyn Akombe, reigned. She’s of the view that the Kenyan 2017 presidential election rerun scheduled would not be credible.
In a Press Statement in New York on 17th October 2017, Akombe, who used to be an election commissioner in Kenya, said:
“… I have questioned my role as a Commissioner at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. But I have soldiered on hoping that we could collectively find a way of addressing the crisis our country faces today… It broke my heart in the last few days, to listen to my staff in the field, majority of whom truly want to do the right thing, express to me their safety and security concerns. We need the Commission to be courageous to speak out that this election as planned cannot meet the basic expectation of a CREDIBLE election… Not when commissioners and staff are intimidated by political actors and protesters and fear for their lives. “
Reactions on Twitter.
How do we move forward when 50%of the country is left behind? Are we writing #History or #Orbituary of this country? Via Ephraim #KenyaPoll
— Concerned African (@BinaMaseno) October 26, 2017
#KenyaPoll Raila and uhuru should dialogue..what is happening around the country today is wrong and painting a bad image of kenya
— HON.BUZEKI KIPROP (@bundotich_zedek) October 26, 2017
The journalists in this polling station were more than the voters😂 @DrAlfredMutua 'S PR didn't work this time #ElectionBoycottKE #kenyapoll pic.twitter.com/IbKrodFDfV
— Denis Otundo (@denotundo) October 26, 2017
