The East African Community (EAC) has this morning launched the Election Observation Mission (EAC-EOM) for the August polls in Kenya.
Former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete will head the 52-member committee in Kenya and will work to observe the elections.
The 52-observer mission is drawn from key governance and independent institutions of the Partner States and civil society organizations. The mission will be in the country from today August 1 and depart on August 12, 2022.
“This mission will build on the outcomes of the Joint AU/EAC/IGAD/COMESA pre-election assessment conducted over the last one month. In the course of my work, I will interact with a number of key stakeholders in pursuit of peaceful elections. Among these will be IEBC, political parties, judiciary, security organs, media, and civil society,” read a press statement.
Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete said through a press statement, that the committee will start by assessing the level of preparedness of the key electoral stakeholders for this election and monitor the level of compliance of the electoral processes and management to the international, regional, and national established laws, principles, and practices.
The team’s other assignment will also be assessing adherence to the democratic principles of the EAC as enshrined in the Treaty and finally, offer objective recommendations for continuous improvement in the conduct of such elections.
“I will announce the findings of the mission through an Interim Statement on August 11, 2022,” Jakaya said.
“I wish to congratulate Kenyans for the peaceful manner in which the different political coalitions, parties, and independent candidates have so far conducted campaigns by espousing a high level of tolerance and political maturity. I urge you all to maintain this spirit throughout the remainder of the electoral process,” he added.