By John Ikani
Four Africa-based election observer missions have been giving their preliminary report at a press briefing in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.
Voting day was “calm, peaceful and orderly,” said former Tanzania president Jakaya Kiwete, who led the East Africa Community Mission (EACM).
He praised the electoral commission for its management of the election, saying his team was “satisfied” by the way the poll was conducted.
His comments were echoed by Dr Mulatu Teshome, who led the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad) team.
“Preparation was visibly strong and its election management performance by all measure has been commendable,” he said.
But added that the postponement of the poll in two counties had “caused anxiety and uncertainty.”
Mr Kiwete also praised the use of technology saying its use in registering voters, identifying them and transmitting votes “had increased efficiency in the transparency.”
The EAC mission proposed that in future elections party agents should be allowed to also monitor voter verification not just the putting of ballots in boxes.
Mr Kikwete also urged Kenyans to maintain peace.
Igad also noted that its observers had noticed high representation of young people and women working as poll officials as well as party agents.
The two missions also praised the security put in place at the poll stations they visited.
The African Union mission led by former Sierra Leone president Ernest Bai Koroma and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) also sent observer teams.
Some 18,000 local and international observers were accredited for Kenya’s 9 August election.
