Kenya: meetings in Nairobi of the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs

Kenya: meetings in Nairobi of the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs

NEW YORK, February 1, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- In meetings with Kenyan authorities in Nairobi today, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, stressed the importance of efforts by all Kenyans and their institutions to ensure the upcoming elections are credible, transparent and peaceful. He commended the electoral authorities for their preparations and underscoring the readiness of the United Nations to continue providing support to the electoral process.

Mr. Feltman met the Chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission of Kenya (IEBC), Mr. Ahmed Issack Hassan, the Chief Justice, Hon. Willy Mutunga, and the Attorney-General, Hon. Githu Muigai. Under-Secretary-General Feltman oversees UN support to elections globally as the organization's Focal Point for UN Electoral Assistance.

In his meeting with the Chairman of the IEBC, the Under-Secretary-General congratulated the Commission for its recent achievements, including the successful conduct of the registration of voters in record time. He also reiterated the readiness of the United Nations for continuous financial and technical support for the remaining critical phases of the electoral process.

USG Feltman commended efforts being made to avoid any repeat of past violence.

“Kenya's elections will be watched closely around the world,” he said. “Let me take this opportunity to appeal to all Kenyans to exercise their democratic right and participate actively – but peacefully - in the elections. Let me also underscore the responsibility shared by leaders at all levels to abide by legal mechanisms and to send a clear message to supporters that violence of any kind would be unacceptable.”