Nairobi (Kenya), 11 August 2017 – Kenyans went to the polls on 7 August to elect their president in the country’s general elections. In order to encourage an all-peaceful process, the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON), under the leadership of the Director-General, Saleh-Work Zewde, issued a statement on 11 August, as the results were about to be announced, calling Kenyans for calm and restraint. The Director-General was accompanied by the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region, Said Djinnit.
 
Over a thousand observers from Kenya, as well as from the African Union, the East African Community, the European Union and the United States were deployed throughout the country to ensure a transparent, fair and credible process.
 
The official results were announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in the night of 11 August, crediting the incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta with 54.2% of the votes against 44.91% for the opposition leader, Raila Odinga. No major incidents were reported following this announcement.
 
Statement of the United Nations on the elections in Kenya
 
“On behalf of the United Nations in Nairobi, I congratulate the people of Kenya for exercising their democratic rights in actively and peacefully participating in the 8 August 2017 elections; and also congratulates the IEBC for all their commendable efforts in organizing and conducting these elections.
 
The United Nations emphasizes the importance of IEBC to continue to discharge faithfully and thoroughly its responsibilities as an independent and constitutionally mandated body.
 
The United Nations encourages all stakeholders including parties, political leaders and their supporters to peacefully await for the announcement of the official results of the elections by IEBC.
 
The United Nations calls on the parties to commit themselves to submit any elections related claims though the legal and constitutional mechanisms.
 
At this critical time in the democratic consolidation in the country, the United Nations reiterates its commitment to the continued peace, stability and development of Kenya.”