Foreign Envoys Urge Raila to Re-Enter October 26th Repeat Presidential Race

Foreign diplomats have asked National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga and his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka to consider re-entering repeat presidential election set for October 26th.

In a statement, the envoys led by United States ambassador to Kenya, Robert Godec, they said that although they “respect Odinga’s decision not to participate in the fresh poll, they regret the move and hope NASA will change their mind.”

The foreign mission further called on President Uhuru not to assent to the Election Amendment Bill because doing so “will only deteriorate the current political stalemate in the country.”

“Politicians should be careful not to destroy what the country has built for many years; it’s easier to destroy than to build a nation. The solutions to current political problems must be found within the confines of the constitution,” said Godec.

The envoys also condemned the recent attacks on electoral commission officials in parts of the country and urged politicians to stop attacking institutions.

“Parties are allowed to seek an extension to the repeat election but this decision belongs to the courts. Kenyans have an opportunity to go to courts and seek an extension… if they do so and the extension is granted we are okay with that,” said Godec.

"Attacks on IEBC staff must cease now. No one is obliged to stand for office, or to vote if they do not wish to," said Godec. "But no one should use violence or intimidation to disrupt the right of others to vote or to participate. Doing so is profoundly undemocratic, and leaders must tell their supporters to refrain from such actions."

The statement was backed by among others envoys from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Britain, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the US.