Public Agenda NewsPaperPublic Agenda NewsPaper
  • General News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Development Agenda
  • World News
  • Features & Opinions
  • Election watch
  • Editorial
Font ResizerAa
Public Agenda NewsPaperPublic Agenda NewsPaper
Font ResizerAa
  • General News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Development Agenda
  • World News
  • Features & Opinions
  • Election watch
  • Editorial
Search
  • General News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Development Agenda
  • World News
  • Features & Opinions
  • Election watch
  • Editorial
Follow US
Breaking NewsElection watch

International Observers give Kenya Elections Thumps-Up

Latifa Carlos
Last updated: August 14, 2017 1:41 pm
Latifa Carlos
Share
6 Min Read
Uhuru-Kenyatta
Uhuru-Kenyatta
SHARE

Two days after voting in Kenya, key observer missions including teams from the African Union (AU), Commonwealth, the East African Community (EAC) and the European Union (EU) have made statements on their assessment of the electoral process so far.

Generally, most observer groups believe that despite few minor incidences, the process of voting, counting, and tallying at polling stations has been peaceful, transparent, and credible. Former South African President, Thabo Mbeki, head of the AU observer group said that the process was in line with AU policies, and commended the commission and Kenyan citizens on a job well done. Both the AU and Commonwealth missions noted however that the high number of rejected votes suggests the need for more voter education.
Former Ghanaian president John Mahama and head of the Commonwealth mission said the elections on the whole has been conducted in a credible manner. “On the whole it seems the actual performance of the voting machines has not been called into question… I think Kenya must be commended for the technology used during this elections” He added that anyone with grievances should follow the appropriate legal processes.

Many groups have condemned the murder of high-level election official Chris Msando and call for a full investigation into his death. The EU observer mission in their statement congratulated the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), but repeated the call for an independent probe into Chris Msando’s murder and how it may have impacted the whole electoral process.

More Read

Eliminating Intra-African Trade Barriers no Longer Optional – AfCFTA Scribe
Judge reverses Trump administration’s cuts of billions of dollars to Harvard University
I’ll hold you to the June 2026 deadline – Mahama to Ofankor–Nsawam road contractor
Draft report on review of Constitution to be ready by October – CRC
GRNMA apologises to Health Minister over attacks

The EU observer mission further urged Kenyans to have patience and restraint in awaiting the final results saying “elections should never be a life and death issue.”
So far, the IEBC has released results from 40 109 out of 40 883, putting incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta ahead with 54.26% (8,094,351 votes) and opposition leader Raila Odinga in second place with 44.86% (6,692,062 votes).
Here is a review of  some of the  candidates who contested the 2017 elections:

Uhuru Kenyatta

Uhuru Kenyatta is the flagbearer of the Jubilee Party of Kenya and the son of Kenya’s first President Jomo Kenyatta, and is the 4th and current President of Kenya. After winning the elections in 2013, Kenyatta became Kenya’s youngest president.

Kenyatta is Kikuyu, a Bantu ethnic group. Born into a prestigious and powerful family, he attended St. Mary’s school in Nairobi, and then went to Amherst College in the United States where he studied economics, political science, and government.

Before serving as president, Kenyatta was a deputy prime minister, during which the ICC named him as a suspect of crimes against humanity in the 2007-8 post election violence which claimed over 1,000 lives. The ICC charges threatened to strain foreign relations during his presidency, with many Western countries threatening to cut ties with Kenya. However during his presidency, he has hosted numerous international conferences and world leaders including former United States President Barack Obama.

While in power, Kenya has seen its economy growing at an average of 5% each year, and an increase in foreign investment. The Nairobi-Mombasa railway, one of his major projects funded by the Chinese, is said to contribute to economic growth. However on the other hand, many have criticized him of excessive borrowing, with the nation’s debt at an all time high. His government has also been tagged as corrupt and has been accused of limiting freedom of expression, particularly with the press.

The 55-year-old incumbent leader is seeking re-election on August 8. In his manifesto, he promises more jobs, free public secondary education, the completion of the 57 large-scale dams construction programme, and promote transparency and accountability, amongst many other things. Kenyatta’s biggest rival is Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance.

Raila Odinga

Raila Odinga is the son of the first vice president of Kenya. His father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, was one of many politicians who played a huge role in liberating Kenya from British rule.

Born in 1945 in Maseno, Odinga attended Kisumu Union Primary School, Maranda Primary, and later Maranda High School. He went on to study mechanical engineering at University of Leipzig in Germany. After his studies, Odinga was a lecturer at the University of Nairobi. He has also served as a Member of Parliament, as Energy Minister, and as Prime Minister in 2008 under a power-sharing deal to end the post-election violence that saw some 1,300 people killed.

After losing the election in 2013 to Uhuru Kenyatta, Odinga challenged the results in the courts, but the Supreme Court ruled against him. On August 8, Odinga will make his fourth attempt at the presidency of Kenya. He promises to address issues related to healthcare, governance, security & crime, and employment.

Odinga is the flagbearer for the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition, which includes all of Kenya’s main opposition groups, Odinga – together with his running mate Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka – hopes to end Uhuru Kenyatta’s bid for a second term.

Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Email Copy Link Print

Latest News

Shadows of Empire: The CIA, Kwame Nkrumah, and the Struggle for Ghanaian Sovereignty
September 3, 2025
Empowering Rural Women through environmental justice: GAGGA grantees convene in Accra
September 3, 2025
Birim North District Unveils Medium -Term Development Plan and More…
September 2, 2025
Chief Justice Getrude Torkornoo removed
September 1, 2025
ABANTU Engages Unsuccessful Women Parliamentary Candidates to Strengthen Political Participation in Ghana
August 28, 2025
Pakistan unveils 7-point plan for Gaza peace at OIC summit
August 26, 2025
Bagre Dam Spillage claims life of farmer
August 26, 2025

You Might Also Like

Breaking NewsBusinesstop stories

Ghana and Nigeria explore electricity for gas barter agreement

August 26, 2025
Breaking NewsGeneral Newstop stories

Ghana drops to 61st in 2025 Global Peace Index

August 26, 2025
Breaking NewsDevelopment AgendaElection watch

Charles Abugre Chairs MiDA Board

August 22, 2025
Breaking NewsBusinesstop stories

Ghana cedi is world’s best-performing currency – Mahama tells investors in Japan

August 20, 2025

About Us

Public Agenda is fou­nded and owned by Pu­blic Agenda Communic­ations.

Public Agenda was founded as a public interest Me­dia entity. Its Visi­on is to contribute to building a well-i­nformed society where accurate informati­on dissemination is the cornerstone of a democratic, just and equitable society.

Its mission is to inform, guide and bui­ld responsible citiz­enship and accountab­le decision making and strive for excell­ence in the media in­dustry. Public Agenda Communications is managed by a Board of Directors.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?