US urges Kenyans to be peaceful, patient as vote verification continues

The US government has appealed for peace and patience as verification of Kenya’s presidential results continues.

In a tweet, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had spoken with President Uhuru Kenyatta on the importance of Kenya’s elections as a model for the continent.

The US envoy further said their discussion also focused on his just-ended three-nation tour of Africa.

“We encourage peace and patience as the vote tallying continues from the August 9 elections,” he said on his official Twitter handle.

Blinken last year visited Kenya, Senegal and Nigeria, three countries picked for meeting the ‘minimum’ requirements for democracies.

Verification of the presidential results of the Aug 9 election is underway at the national tallying centre at Bomas.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission revised the verification of the votes to make the process quick. IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati has so far announced results from 116 of the 290 constituencies plus one of the diaspora.

The commission has until Tuesday to announce the results.

“The law requires IEBC to declare the president-elect within seven days, the commission shall endeavour to conclude this exercise at the earliest time possible,” the chair said.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK