The EU's official political response to the decision of Kenya's Supreme Court to order a re-run of the presidential election held on 8 August was announced by High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini on Tuesday 5 September. In a statement following that of the EU election observation mission (see EUROPE 11854), Mogherini says the Kenyan Supreme Court's ordering of a re-run of the elections is "a strong demonstration of the independence of the Kenyan judiciary and the strength of national democracy".
During the evening of Monday 4 September, the Kenyan electoral commission announced that the new presidential elections would be held on 17 October. Two candidates are in the running: President Uhuru Kenyatta, who emerged as winner in the first election, and his rival, Raila Odinga, who initiated the Supreme Court appeal.
"All institutions involved in the re-run of the elections should now be given the space to continue to work independently and start preparing for new transparent, credible, inclusive and peaceful elections, fulfilling all the requirements of the Constitution and the election law", Mogherini stated, giving assurances that "the EU is continuing to support Kenya in these efforts". She also gave assurances that "the EU election observation mission will stay in the country until the completion of the electoral process". (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)