Envoys call for dialogue in handling IEBC, 2017 election

Nairobi: Eleven foreign envoys have voiced their concern over the ongoing push by Kenyan Opposition to kick out Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials and prevent them from spearheading the 2017 General Election.

The diplomats have urged the Kenyan leadership and the public to accept the questions on IEBC and handle them by following the constitution.

“Decisions on questions such as the future of the IEBC's leadership must be acceptable, achieved through dialogue and made in accord with Kenya's Constitution and laws,” said the envoys in a statement.

The envoys said they are committed to supporting Kenya in the general election in form of funding, technical assistance, civic education and conflict mitigation efforts. They called upon the public to reject rhetoric and incitement to violence.

"To ensure a credible, peaceful poll in 2017, we call on Kenya’s leaders and citizens to come together through dialogue to build confidence in the electoral system. While the responsibility for doing so rests first with elected and appointed officials, this is a challenge for all Kenyans and everyone should join in faith,” they said.

The statement was signed by ambassadors Robert Godec (US), Nic Hailey (UK), Jutta Frasch (Germany), David Angell (Canada), Ralf Heckner (Switzerland), Johan Borgstam (Sweden), Mette Knudsen (Denmark), Victor Ronneberg (Norway), Tarja Fernandez (Finland), John Feakes (Australia) and Netherlands' Frans Makken.

Opposition coalition, CORD has called for protests in bid to evict the IEBC officials from office over claims that the team cannot be trusted in taking Kenya through the electoral process.

The leaders have vowed to hold protests at the IEBC offices in Nairobi and across the country every Monday until the IEBC leadership is changed.