Commonwealth Pulls Observers Out of Kenya's October 26th Repeat Election

Commonwealth Pulls Observers Out of Kenya's October 26th Repeat Election

The Commonwealth has pulled its team out of election observers out of the Thursday repeat presidential election.

The Commonwealth, which had a 15-member team of observers led by former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama during the August 8th general election, cited rising tensions and the withdrawal of NASA leader Raila Odinga as the reasons for not participating in an observatory role on Thursday.

“Everybody cited security fears. They felt it is not safe to observe elections when electoral officials themselves have been targeted,” an official in one of the Commonwealth countries told the Nation.

Comments

PeaceKenya (not verified)     Tue, 10/24/2017 @ 05:46pm

This is indeed creating a constitutional crisis. For those who are not in Kenya, listen to the people on the ground. There is a growing and heightened tension right now; particularly after the bodyguard of Kenya's deputy chief justice was shot and wounded on Tuesday. Before you give your theoretical and ideal analysis, talk to your family and friends at home, it may help you rethink your ideologies. Pray for our nation, pray for our people to unite.

Ben (not verified)     Tue, 10/24/2017 @ 08:46pm

In reply to by Imara (not verified)

You mean Raila should be arrested. Between Raila and Uhuru, it is the former who is breaking the law. If he blocks election using his thugs (who should be crushed by police) he will have pulled off the biggest electoral crime.

Anonymous (not verified)     Tue, 10/24/2017 @ 07:06pm

You pulled your observers out because even you got tired of putting up appearances.It is a sham election nothing good will come of it .Your safety is Paramount not that ordinary Kenyans care your previous observation was false and we do not want a repeat of the same.

Guest1 (not verified)     Tue, 10/24/2017 @ 07:14pm

ALSO: AU and IGAD Should Stay Away from Kenyan Politics. Stay Away!!! We need GOD the Creator of Heaven and Earth; NOT you Creators of TYRANTS, DESPOTS, DICTATORS, CHAOS, and OPPRESSION in African Countries. Stay A-WAY!!!

formerlyguest 2 (not verified)     Tue, 10/24/2017 @ 07:40pm

In reply to by D Mwose (not verified)

You seem to be the one crafting the coup/take over , tell us more Mwose. What are you in NASA, chief crafter. The way you talk around here you seem to be an insider. Hopefully when things go haywire , you will still sit around here and say I told you so with the same sheepish grin

GG (not verified)     Tue, 10/24/2017 @ 08:08pm

In reply to by D Mwose (not verified)

@ Mwose, very true, we saw it coming, more particularly last week after senior official at the electoral commission (Dr. Akombe) fled to the US, telling the BBC she had received death threats. Dr. Akombe's work/moral ethics, efficiency and productivity has been admired in every country she has worked for during elections. She has never quit a task. We the people of kenya has to be honest with our selves.

Ben (not verified)     Tue, 10/24/2017 @ 08:50pm

In reply to by GG (not verified)

Do not delude yourself about Akombe's credibility. She has been 'outed' by one baba as his mole in IEBC. Honesty to our selves means we follow the law instead of Raila's whims. If the elections as conducted on Thursday turn out to be sham, Maraga will still nullify and order another one. But Raila's numbers will not grow in 30 or 45 days.

onkoba (not verified)     Tue, 10/24/2017 @ 11:28pm

There is hidden hand manipulating the fears of 42 million Kenyans to her own interest. How comes the other day
Akombe and company said the election will not be credible and now I see a chorus of different entities pretending
to have a feeling of Kenyan claiming that election will not be credible.The Almighty hidden hand of God is
control of Kenya and this election will be held successful and Uhuru again will be a winner by a big margin .MY
dear Kenyans do be hating of Kikuyus as if they are source of all our problems and as if they are taken out power
there will be immediate change.changes will begin by changing ourselves and ending the culture of despising and hating
each other for no good reason.

onkoba (not verified)     Wed, 10/25/2017 @ 03:26am

Stop the hatred against the Kikuyus. It is as if they are the source of all our problems and if they are removed them from
contesting for the elections our problems will be solved. Changes must begin within ourselves then we'll begin seeing changes in Kenya.
The opposition need to come with better strategies of winning an election otherwise let the best candidate win in October 26th election.

Mungu ako na sisi (not verified)     Wed, 10/25/2017 @ 09:27am

at last Coomonwealth have shown its true colours za ubanguzi na siding with evil babu....waenda kabis awasirudi Kenya tena....wazee walogwe bure kabisa

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