The European Union has appealed for a peaceful and legal resolution to disputed presidential election results that were announced on Monday and disputed by Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday.
Through its High Representative Josep Borrell, the EU called for an amicable dispute resolution exercise as he urged all political leaders to avoid violence and embrace peace.
“The EU takes note of the results by the IEBC declaring Mr William Ruto winner of the election and the decision to appeal by Mr Raila Odinga. Ongoing dispute and any remaining concerns about this election must be resolved peacefully through existing legal mechanisms,” Borrell said.
“All political and societal leaders must avoid any violence and call for calm. It is time for political leadership and responsibility from all those linked to the electoral process.”
He also commended Kenyans for maintaining the peace during and after the electioneering period and expressed his optimism about having stronger ties between the EU and the next Kenyan government that will provide a favourable environment for the mutual development of EU and Kenya.
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“The EU commends Kenyans for the calm and peaceful election day on 9th August, when they expressed their choice across six elections, including for the Presidency,” Borrell said.
“We look forward to working together and developing further, together with the future Kenyan leadership, the mutually beneficial EU-Kenya Strategic Dialogue begun in June 2021.”
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati declared Deputy President William Ruto the winner of the hotly contested presidential election.
However, the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday announced him and Azimio coalition dispute and reject the presidential election results terming Chebukati’s declaration null and void.
Raila also said he would challenge the results through the legal system
