The International Community expressed concerns that the
Kenyan political climate is not favourable for holding a repeat presidential
election on October 26. According to the International Crisis Group, a conflict
prevention organisation, in spite of this climate, the election must proceed.
"Only Kenyan institutions can decide
whether to postpone it or not. The High Court in 2012 delayed elections by 6
months which helped ensure a peaceful vote. The Supreme Court should favourably
consider such an extension given the Independent Electoral and Boundaries
Commission Chairman's own acknowledgement that the polling commission cannot
guarantee a credible vote within the allotted time," said the ICG as
quoted in Daily Nation on Tuesday, October 24
The group further called on Kenyan leaders to support such
an extension and commit to participate. "Should the Court grant the delay,
then it must be stated clearly that President Uhuru Kenyatta will remain in
office pending the fresh vote, and that National Super Alliance presidential
candidate will take part in the poll without additional conditions," added
the ICG according to a statement seen by The Evening Post.
Speaking
separately at a presser on Monday, October 23, United States and United
Kingdoms said it was taking time to broker a deal between President Uhuru
Kenyatta and Raila Odinga on the repeat election, saying only Kenyan courts can
intervene in the matter. "Attempts to arrive at a solution with Jubilee
and NASA leaders yielded little," said US Ambassador Robert Godec on
behalf of the envoys.
"We have held talks with leaders from both sides. I can
say we made some progress but I cannot divulge the details here because there
are still some big differences," said US Ambassador Robert Godec who
issued the statement on behalf of the envoys. In a few hours,
Kenyans are set
to return to the ballot after the Supreme Court nullified President Uhuru's
victory in the August 8 poll.
Despite the court victory, on Tuesday, October
10, Raila Odinga withdrew his candidature from the repeat election, saying it
was the only way he could ensure a credible election is held in Kenya.
NASA claimed the election outcome was already predetermined
as the IEBC and Jubilee Party were working together in secret. The opposition
brigade also claimed that the IEBC is acting in bad faith by going ahead with
election preparations without addressing the opposition's issues as stated in
their irreducible minimum demands.
