International Observers Note Improved Election Process but Flag Legal and Operational Hurdles
The Carter Center’s international election observation mission has released its preliminary statement on Kenya’s recent general election, commending the overall peaceful conduct of the poll while highlighting significant legal and operational challenges that clouded the process. The report praised the high voter turnout and the general calm observed at polling stations, attributing it to the commitment of Kenyan citizens to participate in their democracy. However, the mission raised serious concerns regarding the lack of transparency in the final stages of the results transmission system and the adversarial environment that preceded election day.
The statement detailed that while polling day procedures were largely followed, the observation mission faced difficulties in fully assessing the integrity of the results management process due to a last-minute decision by the electoral commission to restrict the access of election observers to the national tallying center. A critical part of building public trust is transparency at every stage. The inability to independently verify the final aggregation of results from the polling stations to the national level is a notable setback, stated the former head of the mission, Dr. Amina Lek. The report also pointed to the misuse of administrative resources by the incumbent party and the prevalence of hate speech in the campaign period as factors that created an unlevel playing field.
The findings have been met with mixed reactions. The ruling coalition has welcomed the report’s acknowledgment of a peaceful process, stating it validates the election’s outcome. The Carter Center has confirmed what we have said all along: that this was a free and fair expression of the people’s will, a government spokesperson said. In contrast, the opposition coalition has seized on the report’s criticisms, using them to bolster its claims that the electoral process was fundamentally flawed and lacked the necessary safeguards to ensure its credibility.
The long-term implications of the Carter Center’s observations will likely influence the ongoing debate about electoral reform in Kenya. The mission offered several key recommendations, including a comprehensive and inclusive audit of the electoral technology system, a review of the legal framework to strengthen the independence and operational capacity of the electoral commission, and stricter enforcement of laws against hate speech and the misuse of state resources. The peaceful conclusion of this election is a testament to Kenya’s resilience. However, addressing these underlying issues is crucial for strengthening the democratic foundation and preventing future disputes, the report concluded, setting the stage for a critical period of national reflection and institutional reform.