VZCZCXRO8609
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHNR #1453 1651111
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 131111Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6072
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 6006
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 2070
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0113
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 2839
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 5294
UNCLAS NAIROBI 001453
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
E.O.12958: N /A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM KE
SUBJECT: TEXT OF HEADS OF MISSIONS STATEMENT ON KENYAN
PARLIAMENTARY BY-ELECIONS
REF: NAIROBI 1452
1. As reported in reftel, the Ambassador joined with other
Nairobi-based Heads of Missions in issuing a statement on
the June 11 parliamentary by-elections. To follow is a
text of the statement.
2. Begin text:
Heads of Missions: Statement on 11 June by-elections
We, the undersigned Heads of diplomatic missions based in
Nairobi, decided to make staff available to participate as
observers of the by-elections held on 11 June in Ainamoi,
Embakasi, Emuhaya, Kilgoris, and Wajir North. One hundred
members of staff from our diplomatic missions, accredited
as observers, visited polling stations in all five
constituencies.
As indicated by Heads of Missions on 4 June, our
participation should in no way be seen as an endorsement of
the Electoral Commission of Kenya. We are only too aware
that the December general election revealed an urgent need
for electoral reform including a re-structured ECK. We,
alongside Kenyans, support the work of the Independent
Kriegler Commission and look forward to seeing the prompt
implementation of its recommendations.
We commend electoral officials in polling stations for
their efforts to conduct a professional and transparent by-
election process. We observed electoral officials generally
complying with election regulations in a non-partisan,
professional manner.
While our observers did not witness any major instances of
intimidation or violence at the locations visited on
polling day, we are concerned by reports of violence from
Kilgoris constituency and call for the restoration of calm.
We are also concerned by credible reports of attempted
bribery of voters by representatives of some political
parties. We call on leaders of all parties to enforce the
highest standards of conduct by their members and to ensure
their members do not engage in such abuses in future
elections.
We conclude that in the locations we were able to visit on
polling day these by-elections generally complied with
democratic standards and expressed the will of the
electorate.
We will continue to follow Kenya's democratic process in
the spirit of partnership that has characterised our
support for this country and its people.
Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Japan, the
Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the
United States of America.
This statement is supported by the following Heads of
Mission who were unable to deploy observers for the by-
elections: European Commission, Czech Republic, Hungary,
Mexico, Slovakia and Poland.
Nairobi, 13 June 2008
End Text.
RANNEBERGER