UDA hold talks with European Union over election monitoring

The United Democratic Alliance party, led by Deputy President William Ruto, on Wednesday held talks with European Union (EU) Exploratory Mission for election monitoring.

The team visited the Hustler Center offices in Nairobi.

The team from the EU headquarters in Brussels led by the Democracy and Electoral Observation Policy Officer Mette Bakkan is in Kenya for two weeks to explore the framework for observing the August 9, general elections.

The deliberations centred on preparedness for both the general elections and party primaries, which UDA on its side is planning to roll out in the next two weeks.

During the meeting, UDA affirmed support for the EU sending a full-fledged Observer Mission to the August elections.

“The party urged the EU to treat the elections not as an event but rather as a process whose every stage must be monitored and observed,” the UDA statement reads.

Also, the party encouraged the mission to maintain a strong voice in support of the shared values of constitutionalism, democracy, civil liberties, free press and credibility of the electoral process.

UDA also expressed concern about danger signals that Justice Johan Kriegler report flagged as posing a risk to a peaceful, free, fair and credible election.

The party was represented by the secretary-general Veronica Maina, William Ruto’s presidential Campaign Director General Josphat Nanok, Head of International Relations Ababu Namwamba, and Chair of Party Elections Board Anthony Mwaura.

Earlier during his visit to the US, and the UK, Ruto said he will accept the outcome of the August 9, elections whichever way it will go.

Ruto also challenged his competitors to publicly declare their stand on the outcome of the elections, adding that the ODM leader Raila Odinga is sceptical of the outcome.

“We are committed to respecting the outcome of the elections and the decision of the people of Kenya unequivocally, and without conditions," he said.