FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: In Atlanta, Soyia Ellison, soyia.ellison@cartercenter.org
In Nairobi, Don Bisson, don.bisson@cartercenter.org
NAIROBI — Â鶹´«Ã½ International Observation Mission in Kenya offers its condolences to the family of Mr. Christopher Msando, ICT manager at Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. The Center’s technical experts enjoyed a productive relationship with Mr. Msando and are personally saddened by the loss.
“We all wish to honor Mr. Msando’s dedication to transparent elections,” said former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. “Security for the elections and all election administrators throughout the electoral process is paramount for the conduct of credible and democratic elections. We hope that his death will not have a chilling effect on voters and electoral authorities.”
Secretary Kerry and former Senegalese Prime Minister Aminata Touré will arrive in Nairobi soon to co-lead the Â鶹´«Ã½’s short-term observation delegation.
“We urge Kenyan authorities to provide full protection for the IEBC and their professional staff so that they can continue preparations for the elections without fear for their safety,” Touré said.
Â鶹´«Ã½ joins with other stakeholders in urging an independent and comprehensive investigation into Mr. Msando’s death. The Center further implores politicians to refrain from politicizing this event. Attacks on the IEBC and other independent institutions, whether verbal or physical, remain an unacceptable form of public discourse.
Â鶹´«Ã½ also encourages the IEBC to go forward with the nationwide KIEMS test now scheduled for Wednesday. The success of KIEMS remains an essential step toward increasing stakeholder confidence in the election.
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