African Union Deploys Election Expert Mission to Kenya

ADDIS ABABA – The African Union Commission says it is deploying an international election expert mission to follow up on Kenya’s preparations for the upcoming General Elections.

Kenyans will head to the polls on August 8 to vote in a highly contested race to decide the country’s president, and the African Union will observe the election process at the invitation of the government of the East African nation.

Ahead of that, the AU is sending the election expert mission, composed of eight core team experts, to Kenya as part of its comprehensive and long-term engagement in the general elections.

“The core team experts will follow up on the electoral preparations, assess the political dynamics and genuine competitiveness and fairness of the electoral campaign,” the Union said in a statement.

The experts will also maintain regular contact with national and international stakeholders before, during, and after the elections, the statement says.

“Their work will be complemented by long-term observers (LTOs), who will be deployed a few weeks before the polls and short-term observers (STOs), who will be deployed a week before election day,” it added.

Deputy President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, are the main contenders to become the fifth President of Kenya

The winner will replace the incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta, who is nearing the end of his second five-year term and constitutionally barred from seeking another term. 

Featured Image Caption: African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa