IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati. Photo/the-star.co.ke

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The Supreme Court’s September 1 decision on the 2017 presidential election was historic for Kenya, Africa and the world. Kenya’s highest court delivered a powerful statement about the rule of law and the independence of the Judiciary. The separation of powers is an integral part of a successful democracy. The Supreme Court’s decision underscores the resilience of Kenya’s democracy, and its commitment to the 2010 Constitution.

Now that the Supreme Court has spoken, the hard work of preparing for a new presidential election begins. We await the court’s full verdict, but the IEBC under the leadership of Chairman Wafula Chebukati has started to make changes. The Constitution is clear, as was the Supreme Court: The IEBC will have primary responsibility for executing a free, fair, and credible presidential election worthy of the Kenyan people.

But this is also a collective civic responsibility. Kenyans from across the political spectrum will need to work hand-in-hand and in good faith with the IEBC if it is to deliver a better election in October. The court’s decision was a strong call to everyone, including the international community, to reflect on how to make each election better than the last. As partners, we are doing so and we are ready to assist again.

If the right of all Kenyans to free, fair, and credible elections is to be realised, Kenya’s democratic institutions must do their job well and Kenyans should defend and give them due regard. This means supporting an independent Supreme Court and Judiciary; all should respect justices doing their constitutionally-mandated work.

Civil society should be permitted to perform its critical role without harassment. The media, whether traditional or new, also has an essential role to play in informing the public and in acting, along with civil society, as a watchdog. It should be allowed to do so without impediment, and it should do so without inciting hate. Most importantly, citizens should return to the ballot box to make their choice.

The statement has been signed by;

Nic Hailey (High Commissioner for the United Kingdom), Robert F. Godec (Ambassador of the United States), Mette Knudsen (Ambassador of Denmark), Frans Makken (Ambassador of the Netherlands), Fredrik Folkunger (Chargé d’Affaires a.i, Sweden), Victor Conrad Rønneberg (Ambassador of Norway), Jutta Frasch (Ambassador of Germany), Ramses Malaty (Chargé d’Affaires a.i, Finland).