The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has dispatched election observers to eleven counties ahead of the general election on August 9.
The leader of the IGAD short-term Election Observation Mission (IGADEOM), Mulatu Teshome, stated that the observers will oversee the electoral process in the counties.
“The observers are representatives of election authorities and diplomats from six IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) member states: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Uganda are among the countries involved,” Teshome said.
The observers will be stationed in the counties of Nairobi, Nyeri, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru Kajiado, Kisumu, Kisii, Kakamega, Machakos, and Mombasa.
The mission’s findings will be shared in preliminary statements and later comprehensive reports, which will include a more in-depth examination of the conduct of the electoral process as well as recommendations for future electoral processes.
Within the next 48 hours, 22.1 million Kenyans will vote for the country’s fifth president, who will succeed incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Despite the focus on the high-profile presidential election, voters in each of the 47 counties will also cast ballots for county governors, parliament representatives, and other lower-level positions.
On August 9, Kenyans will go to the polls to choose between Raila Odinga and Martha Karua of Azimio la Umoja on the one hand and William Ruto and Rigathi Gachagua of Kenya Kwanza on the other.
The two teams are diametrically opposed in terms of political careers, personal histories, ideology, interpretation of history, and vision.
Negative campaigning, tactic charges of manipulation, and a goodie spree for supporters who have been showered with umbrellas, groceries, and cash for attending rallies have dominated the campaign for votes.
After months of frantic campaigning across the huge country, the two candidates launched their final push in Nairobi, where they addressed thousands of flag-waving fans.