Kenyan presidential vote cannot be free or fair, says election chief

The head of Kenya’s election commission says that despite “full technical preparedness” for this month’s fresh presidential vote, it is “difficult to guarantee free, fair and credible elections”.

Wafula Chebukati spoke hours after a top Kenyan electoral official resigned and fled to the United States, saying that next Thursday’s election cannot be free and fair.

He voiced grave concerns yesterday as another wave of uncertainty swept through East Africa’s largest economy.

Mr Chebukati said he had tried to make critical decisions to reform the election commission, but each time was overruled by a majority of commissioners.

“Under such conditions it’s difficult to guarantee free, fair and credible elections,” he said.

“Without critical changes in key secretariat staff, free, fair and credible elections will surely be compromised. I therefore call on the staff adversely mentioned to step aside.”

Speaking from New York, outgoing Kenyan electoral commissioner Roselyn Akombe urged her former colleagues to be brave and speak up in claiming the new presidential election could not meet the basic expectations of credibility.

Ms Akombe said that she had fled to America out of fear for her life.

In explaining why the election could not be legitimate, Ms Akombe added: “Not when the staff are getting lastminute instructions on changes in technology and electronic transmission of results. Not when in parts of the country, the training of presiding officers is being rushed for fear of attacks from protesters.”

The Supreme Court last month nullified the August election in which President Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner, citing irregularities. A fresh election was ordered.

Kenyans woke up to the latest news in shock. Many opposition supporters backed Ms Akombe’s decision, while ruling party supporters accused her of attempting to sabotage elections.

Protesters in the opposition stronghold of Kisumu city in western Kenya threw chairs and destroyed tents where an election training camp was being set up for officials.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga, whose legal challenge of vote-rigging led to the ruling, last week withdrew from the new election because electoral reforms had not been made. He has called for some election commission staffers to be replaced.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said 67 opposition supporters had been killed in protests since the August election results were announced.