Kenya political crisis deepens in run-up to election

THE political crisis in Kenya appears to be deepening, with the head of the election board saying it cannot guarantee next week’s presidential rerun will be free, fair and credible.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has invited the country’s political leaders to meet in advance of next week’s vote, which President Uhuru Kenyatta insists will go ahead.

Wafula Chebukati, the IEBC chairman, has also asked all parties to stop interfering in the election process.

Kenya is scheduled to hold a presidential election rerun next week after the country’s Supreme Court annulled the results of the August 8 vote because of “irregularities” and “illegalities” in the electoral process.

In that election, more than 15 million people cast their ballots, eventually leading to a victory for Kenyatta, who secured 54 percent.

Chebukati’s comments came as rallies were held in the capital Nairobi on Wednesday by the two main political parties.