A Kenyan
diaspora lobby group has written to Donald Trump Administration seeking to have
the administration pressurize Kenya over the repeat presidential election set
for October 26th.
In their
petition, Kenya Patriotic Movement (KEPAM) has expressed its worries over the
rising tension surrounding the fresh poll following Supreme Court decision that
nullified incumbent President Uhuru's August 8th victory.
"As Kenyan Americans
under the banner of a lobby group called Kenya Patriotic Movement (KEPAM) (www.kepam254.org ) we
are a worried lot about the tension that is piling up in our mother country
following the annulment of a Presidential election held on August 8th,"
their petition reads in part.
It adds:
"The ghosts of the post-election violence of 2007/2008 are fresh in our
memories. A repeat of the same will completely undermine Kenya’s peace, ruin
investor confidence, hurt the tourism sector and even endanger the wellbeing of
the diplomatic community in the country,".
The group
points out to the significance of Kenya's stability, being home to
International bodies and institutions.
"Remember,
Kenya is home to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) as well as the
United Nations centre for human settlement (Habitat). This makes the country
the only developing country with a high caliber UN office,".
The group
has appealed to Trump's administration through Secretary of State Rex
Tillerson, to mount pressure on the Kenyan government and the country’s
electoral commission (IEBC) to agree and implement minimum reforms before a
repeat Presidential election conducted.
"
This is the surest way to ensure that the exercise is free, fair and
credible,".
The group
further puts a reference of the post election skirmishes that rocked the
country after the 2007 disputed presidential poll, which they say should be
prevented at all costs.
"A
stolen election catalyzed massive violence in 2007/2008 which made Kenyans kill
each other. The same is likely to happen again if contingency measures are not
put in place to avert it,".
They also
accuse President Uhuru of beating drums of war following the invalidation of
his victory by the apex court early this month.
"The
Supreme Court annulled the Presidential election on September 1st where it
cited massive irregularities and illegalities. The faction of the incumbent
President Uhuru Kenyatta is beating war drums by accusing the Supreme Court’s
ruling in favour of the opposition leader Raila Odinga,".
"
The political opposition which won the court petition for the election
annulment wants minimum electoral reforms so that there will be a level playing
field in the Presidential contest,".
"The
current Kenyan government is afraid of reforms since it could have been a
beneficiary of the bungled election annulled on September 1st. The electoral body
is coerced by the incumbent to let the status quo remain. Regular citizens are
afraid," it notes.
"The
diplomats fear for their safety. Foreign investors are ambivalent to pursue or
increase investment in Kenya. Also, Kenya boarders the volatile Somalia region,
which is home to Al-Shabaab terrorist group who may take advantage of the
current tension in the country to carry out their evil mission like they have
done before,".
"We
believe the USA is our big brother in terms of strengthening democratic institutions,
advancing Peace and Security and supporting economic development in Kenya.
Anything that jeopardizes the rule of law, social justice, peace and
tranquility will affect these. In fact, if Kenya is hurt it may affect the US
and the larger international community," It concludes.
KEPAM is
lobby is officially registered in New Jersey and has close partnership with
KEPAM Nairobi.
The Petition can be
found here .
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