The Kenyan election have officially begun as more than 19 million voters have reportedly registered to cast their vote to elect a president and a new parliament following weeks of campaigning and claims of a plot to rig the results.
However, in the midst of all the teeming tension, former US president Barack Obama and one of the candidates, President Uhuru Kenyatta has advised Kenyans to hold a peaceful and untainted election.
“I urge Kenyan leaders to reject violence and incitement; respect the will of the people,” Obama said in a statement. “I urge all Kenyans to work for an election – and aftermath – that is peaceful and credible, reinforcing confidence in your new Constitution and the future of your country,” said Obama, who left office in January after serving two four-year terms. Obama said Kenyans certainly recall “the needless pain and agony” of the 2007 election aftermath and warned against resorting to violence again.
While running President Kenyatta on the other hand called for unity, saying he would accept the result, and urged his rivals to do the same. He said Kenyans should “move forward as one nation”. The election which started in the early hours of the day has been quite fair as only a minor stampede has been reportedly recorded.
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