EAC Observers On Election Management, Technology And Security In Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug, 11 – East Africa Community (EAC) Observer Mission in Kenya has commended Kenya’s management of the elections while also hailing the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for their role in conducting one of the country’s hotly contested polls in recent years.

The mission’s leader, former Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete said that the exercise was credible while highlighting concerns over the spread of misinformation online.

At least 52 of its observers have been deployed nationwide visiting at least 218 polling stations.

The mission observers were able to witness the dispatch of election materials, voting and even tallying across the country.

“Campaigns were conducted in a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Parties and candidates had the opportunity to campaign freely, although there were reports of some challenges and incidents encountered by some parties and some members, they do not reflect the whole election process,” said Kikwete.

While issuing the preliminary report, Kikwete further said that the spread of misinformation was a huge concern across Kenya’s social media platforms while also citing cases of individuals sowing seeds of hate online.

He however said the level of transparency exhibited by IEBC in this election was commendable while encouraging them to improve on their communication in the future.

On the use of technology during the polls, Kikwete said that the exercise was smooth despite a few cases of kiems kits malfunctioning.

”The mission commends IEBC for the successful use of the technology in voter registration, voter identification, and the transmission of results,” he said further saying, “We recommend that the problems relating to KIEMS kit should be identified and necessary corrective measures be taken for better performance in future.”

IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati has urged Kenyans to be patient amid the announcement of the presidential election results.

Kikwete also urged candidates to promote peace and that once election results are announced, queries should be addressed using the proper channels.

“We appeal to all political actors & Kenyans at large to continue maintaining peace after the elections results are declared. We implore all to embrace peaceful resolution methods, for any disputes that may arise,”he said.