UN, AU call for peaceful election in Kenya

The UN and the African Union (AU) on Monday called on Kenyan leaders and their supporters to create the conditions for a peaceful presidential election.

In a joint statement, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat urged Kenyan political leaders to maintain peace. Kenya will on Thursday vote in a re-run of August's Presidential election, reports Efe news.

Both Guterres and Mahamat called on "all stakeholders to cooperate with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission as the constitutionally-mandated body to conduct the election".

The two organisations offered to assist Kenya to ensure "a credible and transparent" electoral process.

Guterres and Mahamat urged all citizens to refrain from any act of violence and called on Kenya's security services "to exercise restraint, use minimal force in performing their duties and respect the freedom and political liberties of all Kenyans".

The Presidential election held on August 8 was annulled by the Supreme Court due to suspected irregularities in response to a complaint filed by the opposition.

--IANS

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