Photo caption: President Uhuru Kenyatta. He is set to be sworn in for a second term after the Supreme Court upheld his reelection victory. Courtesy: The Star
The Carter Center has called for national dialogue to help in nation-healing after the grueling electioneering period.In a statement on Tuesday, the US-based group which also observed the country's August polls said President Uhuru Kenyatta has a mandate to promote unity and cohesion as he prepares to be sworn in for a second term.“A renewed dialogue should result in additional measures to address the ethnic and tribal rifts that have long characterised Kenya’s politics, while ensuring the protection and fulfilment of the rights of all Kenyans,” the statement said in part.The center urged Kenyans to respect the unanimous decision by the Supreme Court after the apex court upheld President Kenyatta's reelection victory.“The Carter Center urges all parties to respect today’s unanimous decision by Kenya’s Supreme Court to uphold the results of the October 26 fresh presidential election and calls on political leaders to initiate a process of sustained national dialogue to heal the wounds aggravated by the often tense and tumultuous electoral period," the center said.The statement further noted that the government has an obligation of upholding Constitutional rights including freedom of speech and assembly.