On Saturday 12 August, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini called on the political parties in Kenya to work together following the presidential elections on 8 August. The results of the voting, which saw the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta, are contested by the opposition, and the violence which followed the elections left around 20 people dead and nearly 200 wounded.
"All political forces should now look to the future and work together, at national and local levels, for the good of the country and the Kenyan people as a whole", Mogherini stated in a press release.
She added that in line with the African Union, the EU expects the opposition "to respect the results and to use legal means available for appeals and complaints". In another press release the previous day, Mogherini had asked for follow-up to be given in the form of in-depth investigations to the complaints about infringements and to any contest of the election result, by means of the judicial mechanisms provided for by the constitution. The respect by all for the principle of the rule of law is the real cement of any democracy and Kenya is no exception, she had said. On 18 August, the Kenyan opposition had appealed to the supreme court against the results of the presidential election, denouncing many cases of fraud.
On 12 August, Mogherini congratulated Kenyatta on his victory with 54% of the votes, as well as the other successful candidates from various political parties in the elections held for both chambers of parliament, women's representatives, county governor and county assembly representatives. "The people of Kenya have shown a strong commitment and engagement in the electoral process, strengthening democracy in the country", she said.
The EU intends to strengthen its partnership still further with Kenya as the country is a key partner for the EU in the region, Mogherini stated. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)