Hiiraan Online

Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Onyonka (right) confers with the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad) executive secretary Mahboub Maalim during a past meeting in Nairobi. Igad said March 13, 2013 the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was largely “transparent and professional” despite facing challenges during the elections. FILE 

Igad, an eight-member regional bloc to which Kenya is party, said on Wednesday the manner in which the elections were conducted should be a model for adopting by other countries.

“We laud the Chairman, the Commissioners and the entire staff of the IEBC for the transparent and professional manner in which they conducted the process despite some challenges.

“The election day demonstrates to the region and the whole world the democratic maturity in Kenya,” said Igad secretary general Mahboub Maalim.

Mr Maalim also praised the work of the media and congratulated President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy President-elect William Ruto for winning the elections and wished them well in fulfilling their pre-election pledges to Kenyans.

The bloc thinks that Kenya’s conduct of the elections in turning out in large numbers and remaining peaceful throughout the period indicates a changing pattern on the continent which would eventually guarantee stability.

“Peace and stability in this country will guarantee progress and prosperity of the entire region,” he told reporters in Nairobi.

“Kenyans have shown high level of maturity. The people of Kenya carried the day.”

Mr Kenyatta was declared the winner of the General Election after collecting 50.07 per cent of the votes cast. But that result is now the subject of a court challenge by his close opponent Raila Odinga.

On Wednesday, Mr Maalim told reporters the decision to use courts by aggrieved parties was welcome since it demonstrates trust in institutions.

“The decision on whether the elections were fair or not will rest with the Court. In the event that there is reason to challenge the results, we urge everyone to use the provided legal channels to resolve the disputes.”

Last week, Igad together with the East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (Comesa) jointly stated that Kenyans had “freely expressed” their will in casting the votes but added they would follow the electoral process to the end before they issue their verdict.

While the IEBC argues it remained transparent and fair the Commission was faced with massive system failures. First, the voter identification gadgets collapsed in most parts forcing polling clerks to use manual rolls.

Then the electronic transmission system for provisional results crashed forcing the Commission to abandon it.

But Cord has insisted it doubts the credibility of the entire results.