Four of the seven members of Kenya’s Electoral Commission on Monday rejected the upcoming presidential election results, the deputy chairperson of the independent body, which has come under intense pressure after six days of waiting.
“Because of the opaque nature of the process (…) we cannot take responsibility for the results which are going to be announced”, declared, calling on the Kenyans to “calm”, Vice-President Juliana Cherera, surrounded by three other commissioners.
“The rule of law will prevail”
“People can go to court and for this reason we are calling on Kenyans to be peaceful because the rule of law will prevail,” she added as tension mounted and scuffles broke out in the center where the Commission ( IEBC) manages the results.
By midday, the Electoral Commission’s national counting center in Nairobi, on which the eyes of the whole country are riveted, was filled with party representatives, observers and diplomats, who waited for the announcement for several hours, entertained by choirs, under heavy police surveillance.
On August 9, 22.1 million voters were called to ballot to appoint their fifth president. The IEBC has until Tuesday evening to announce the results of this very close vote between the two favorites Raila Odinga and William Ruto.