Govt strongly protests after EU releases damning 2017 election report

The Kenyan Government on Wednesday, January 10 expressed disappointment after the European Union's (EU) Chief observer in the August and October 2017 election read the election report in a live broadcast from the European Union parliament. 

EU Meets Chebukati to discuss elections

The Kenyan embassy in Brussel claimed that the EU chief had breached the memorandum of understanding signed between the the Kenyan government and the EU.

In a press statement seen by TUKO.co.ke, the embassy termed the allegation by EU's Marietje Schaake that Kenya was not ready to receive the delegation in Nairobi as false and dishonest.

The embassy also claimed that the government had, through diplomatic channels, in consultations with the the EU on scheduling for the release of the report in line with the stipulations of the MoU "The government of the republic of Kenya regrets the unprocedural and premature manner in which the final report of the EU Election Observation Mission, has been released by Hon. Marietje Schaake, MEP. " read the statement. Her action has breached the terms of Kenya's Memorandum of Understanding on election monitering with the European Union,which called for a structural official process.

Schaake was also accused of contemptuous political grandstanding by personalising and instrumentalising a tool meant to improve electoral management . She had included 29 recommendations and highlighted a need for the improvement of the democratic process in Kenya. In the report, Schaake had among other issues highlighted the paying of people to attend rallies and use of State resources during campaigns. She had also highlited politicians intimidating key independent institutions and a persistent lack of trust on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).