NAIROBI, Kenya – The National Democratic Institute (NDI) today released its findings and recommendations from its international pre-election assessment mission to Kenya’s general elections, scheduled for August 8, 2017.

The delegation included regional and election experts from North America, Europe and Africa: former chair of South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission, Dr. Brigalia Bam; former chair of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega; NDI senior associate and director of electoral programs, Pat Merloe; IRI board member and former assistant secretary of state for Africa, Constance Newman; NDI senior associate and director for Southern and East Africa, Dr. Keith Jennings; and NDI director of gender, women and democracy, Sandra Pepera.

During the week of April 3-7, the delegation met with: the Chairman and Commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as well as its CEO; political party leaders; government officials; the Chief Justice; the Speaker of the National Assembly, religious and civic leaders, including gender, youth, peacebuilding, election monitoring and media sectors; and representatives of the international community. The consultations examined election preparations, assessed the political environment, and offered recommendations that Kenyan citizens, civil society, political parties, and the government can take to ensure the integrity and peacefulness of the electoral process.

The delegation calls on all Kenyan political parties and candidates to cooperate in good faith with the IEBC and to conduct the campaign period in a peaceful manner that follows the laws, regulations and codes of conduct for Kenya. The delegation offered 19 recommendations in two main areas -- ensuring electoral integrity and ensuring peaceful elections. Among the two areas, the delegation put forth recommendations concerning election day technologies, election results verification, voter registry verification, political dialogue, and developing an inclusive political process.

The delegation conducted its assessment in accordance with Kenyan law and the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, and will continue its observation with a mission on election day. NDI’s international pre-election assessment mission in Kenya is funded by a grant from the United States Agency for International Development.

NDI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. Over the last 25 years, NDI has conducted more than 150 election observation missions in 62 countries. NDI has supported Kenyan efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and advance democratic reforms since 1993.