{"id":364467,"date":"2017-10-23T17:31:59","date_gmt":"2017-10-23T17:31:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=364467"},"modified":"2017-10-23T17:31:59","modified_gmt":"2017-10-23T17:31:59","slug":"kenya-election-re-run-marred-by-insecurity-diplomats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2017\/10\/kenya-election-re-run-marred-by-insecurity-diplomats\/","title":{"rendered":"Kenya election re-run marred by insecurity – diplomats"},"content":{"rendered":"
Western\u00a0diplomats\u00a0have warned of “growing insecurity” in Kenya ahead of Thursday’s presidential election re-run, boycotted by the main opposition.<\/p>\n
Inflammatory rhetoric and attacks on the election commission made it more difficult to hold a legitimate poll, the 20 envoys said.<\/p>\n
Kenyan prosecutors said opposition leader Raila Odinga’s sister would be charged with inciting violence.<\/p>\n
Mr Odinga has vowed to disrupt Thursday’s poll with a mass protest.<\/p>\n
He says the vote cannot be held before key reforms, including the sacking of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials, are implemented.<\/p>\n
About 70 people have been killed in violence since the IEBC declared President Uhuru Kenyatta the winner of elections on 8 August.<\/p>\n
The Supreme Court of Appeal annulled his victory, saying the poll was marred by irregularities and illegalities.<\/p>\n
And Mr Odinga says nothing has changed since.<\/p>\n
The foreign envoys said they were concerned about the “deteriorating political environment” in East Africa’s biggest economy.<\/p>\n
“It is easier to tear down than to build up. But it is dangerous, and it must stop,” US ambassador Bob Godec said in a statement on behalf of the 20\u00a0diplomats, including those of France, Germany and the UK.<\/p>\n