EU chief observer Marietje Schaake. EU has given a report on the repeat presidential election. (Photo/nation.co.ke)
The European Union (EU) on Wednesday released a report on the October 26, 2017 repeat presidential election. EU chief observer Marietje Schaake reiterated that "Kenyans went from high hopes for these election to many disappointments and confrontations".
In the report, EU further cited that politicians intimidated independent institutions like IEBC and the Judiciary, violence from NASA protests, use of disproportionate force by security forces, attempts to restricts civil society and media and the abuse of state resources mainly by the Jubilee government.
However, the report is released a little too late. The presidential petition filed againts the repeat poll was heard and the case determined. Similarly, the NASA coalition has continued to reiterate that their presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka must be sworn in maintaining that they won in the August 2017 polls.
The aftermath of the presidential election dispute has led to loss of lives and massive destruction of property. The report would have been instrumental in case it was released during the hearing of the petition as the claims by EU might have been used as evidence in court.
In fact, the report will not bridge the divisions among Kenyans who have maintained attachment to the political agenda of the political outfit they are affiliated with.The report nonetheless should not be used to demonize the process pf elections in the country. The report should be used to help avert future electoral disputes by organizing free, fair, credible and transparent elections.