UN Suspends Operations in Kenya ahead of Next Week's Election

The United Nations has announced suspension of some of its activities in the country ahead of next week's repeat presidential election.

In a statement issued on Friday, Under-Secretary-General Peter Drennan said UN would temporarily put to hold all programmes that are not part of a critical mission to Kenya.

"Upon recent review of the security situation in Kenya, The Designated Official (DO), in consultation with the Security Management Team, has recommended the suspension of all non- programme critical workshops, meetings, seminars, conferences and missions to Kenya at least one week before and one week after the repeat of the presidential election, currently scheduled for 26 October 2017,".

"I concur with the recommendation of the DO and authorize the suspension of such non-programme critical missions to Kenya for the period 19 October to 02 November 2017," the statement read in part.

On Thursday, the Government through acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i announced October 26th a public holiday to allow Kenyans vote in the repeat election.

This comes amid political uncertainty in the country ahead of the election, with opposition National Super Alliance threatening to boycott the election unless their demands are met by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).