The African Union calls on Kenyans to exercise their civic rights peacefully

The Head of the African Union Election Observation Mission (AU-EOM), HE President Joaquim Chissano and the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, called on Kenyans to go out and exercise their civic rights peacefully in the 4th March 2013 General Elections. They furthermore urged all the candidates and parties to commit to a nonviolent electoral process and to abide by the code of conduct that they have all signed.

Ahead of the elections, the AU-EOM met with a number of presidential candidates, the Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Inspector-General of Police, National Cohesion and Integration Commission, Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, Kenyan Emminent Personalities, Muslim and Christian Leaders, Diplomatic Communities, and other stakeholders involved in the conduct of the elections. After holding meetings and discussions with the various groups, the AU-EOM commends the significant progress made since 2007 by adopting a new Constitution, reforming the judiciary system and the police, passing the Elections Act and creating a number of independent commissions. The AU-EOM expressed its satisfaction in the preparation of the elections, and hailed the optimism of the stakeholders.

The AU has over 65 Observers, including five Long Term Observers since 12 January 2013 deployed in Kenya. Addressing the press, both the Head of Mission, President Chissano and the AU Commission Chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma underscored the importance of these elections for the AU and for the advancement of Africa’s agenda for democracy and respect of rule of law.

The AU-EOM is observing the General Elections in accordance with the AU Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa and the AU Guidelines for Election Observation and Monitoring.

The Secretariat of the AU EOM is at the Fairmont, The Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi.