US welcomes Raila move to challenge election in court
US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec (centre) reads a joint statement on the Kenyan election by heads of mission in Kenya on on August 11, 2017. photo | Jeff Angote | Nairobi
Nasa said on Wednesday that they will be moving to court to challenge the outcome of results.
In a statement Thursday, US embassy in Nairobi pointed out that the Supreme Court is the constitutional venue to address disputes.
The US also expressed regrets in the manner that the police handled protestors following the announcement of presidential results declaring Mr Uhuru Kenyatta the winner on Friday.
United States has welcomed the move by Nasa leader Raila Odinga to challenge the results of August presidential poll in the Supreme Court.
In a statement Thursday, US embassy in Nairobi pointed out that the Supreme Court is the constitutional venue to address disputes and that it was looking forward to the court resolving the questions that the opposition has raised in accordance with the rule of law.
“As a long-time friend, the United States continues to follow closely Kenya’s presidential election process. We welcome the decision by Kenya’s opposition alliance,” the embassy said.
Nasa said on Wednesday that they will be moving to court to challenge the outcome of results.
The US also expressed regrets in the manner that the police handled protestors following the announcement of presidential results declaring Mr Uhuru Kenyatta the winner on Friday.
“We were deeply troubled by the reports of deaths and injuries that followed the IEBC’s August 11 announcement of the election results. We urge security services to avoid using excessive force and to protect lives and property,” the statement added.
The embassy called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate any allegations of misconduct and that those responsible for abuses be held accountable, while calling on protesters to remain peaceful and respect the law during demonstration.
The US also noted that civil society organisations should be permitted to operate without the threat of deregistration, and called on government to protect journalists from attacks and harassment.
“In this regard, we were deeply disturbed by the actions of the NGO Coordination Board against civil society groups. We welcome the decision by the Government of Kenya to reverse this action and urge that the reversal be fully implemented immediately,” US says.
