Observers from the EAC (East African Community), 60 in number, have been officially flagged off by Head of Mission and former Uganda Cabinet Minister Professor Edward Rugumayo in Nairobi ahead of the General elections. The observers join a long list of observers, drawn from the AU (African Union), EU (European Union), COMESA and Commonwealth group.
While addressing the press, Rugumayo said the EAC observers have been drawn from various dockets, “Long and short term observers are drawn from EALA, national human right commissions, electoral management bodies, civil society, youth ambassadors staff, and staff of EAC,” he said.
He said the mission will follow campaigns, candidates and other stakeholders up to and beyond the election day. “The mission is to monitor that elections are transparent, credible, free and fair and in line with universal acceptable rules of democracy and good governance,” he said.
Moreover, he said a preliminary report will be released after the elections and a long term observer team will spend two more weeks after the election to compile a final observation report with recommendations to the various stakeholders in Kenya’s electoral system.
