TEXT OF HEADS OF MISSIONS STATEMENT ON KENYAN

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