The United Nations independent human rights experts on Thursday called on Kenyan authorities and political party players to foster an enabling environment for peaceful elections and prevent election-related violence ahead of Aug. 9 polls.
The UN experts said the Kenyan authorities must take all necessary measures to prevent human rights violations during the current elections, including ensuring accountability.
“The right to participate in public life, including the right to vote and stand for election without fear of violence is at the core of democratic governance,” the experts said in a joint statement.
They emphasized that civic space, public participation, fundamental freedoms and a violence-free environment are critical to fostering inclusive engagement in the electoral process, and the exercise of political rights.
The experts also urged all stakeholders in Kenya to respect and uphold the right to political participation, freedoms of assembly, of association, of opinion and expression, and to respect the role of an independent judiciary in elections.
According to the experts, political tensions and violence during the campaign period as well as hate speech and incitement by candidates and their supporters have a dangerous potential to ignite or fan flames of violence.
The UN experts said past cycles of Kenyan elections have been marked by violence and human rights violations, including loss of life and sexual and gender-based violence.
Kenyans will go to the polls on Aug. 9 to elect a new president and national lawmakers, as well as the governors and assemblies of its 47 counties.
The August election is set to be contested between major political alliances — Kenya Kwanza headed by Deputy President William Ruto and Azimio la Umoja which is led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga with backing from President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Analysts say while previous Kenyan polls have been shaped mostly by ethnic politics, the 2022 race has also seen economic issues come to the fore, with both Odinga and Ruto promising sweeping reforms that will help spur economic growth.
The experts noted the impact that repeated violence during past elections has had on the right to political participation, particularly for women candidates and voters. Enditem
