On 19^th May 2022, the Mkenya Daima Steering Committee led by the Chair Dr. Vimal Shah and KEPSA Deputy CEO, Foundation Ms. Martha Cheruto, held a consultative discussion with the election observer mission of the AU – COMESA – EAC, in relation to the forthcoming Kenya’s general elections. The objective of the consultative mission is to consider the state of preparedness by the country before the general elections, and the overall context in which the polls will take place.

During the meeting, the Mkenya Daima highlighted some of the activities that the initiative is carrying out in championing for a peaceful transition. The team also expressed their confidence in the independent bodies tasked with managing the election process and highlighted their optimism about the country having a smooth transition in this year’s general elections.

Also present from the Mkenya Daima team included steering committee members; Mr. Duncan Mochama, youth and students’ representative, Ms. Waithera Gaitho – Vice-Chair, Youth Affairs ICT and Youth Sector Board, Mr. Declan Gavin, security sector representative Mr. Daniel Juma, civil society representative, Ms. Susan Ng’ang’a the Project Administrator and Mr. Boniface Mutinda from KEPSA Communications.

The joint AU – COMESA – EAC mission is in accordance with the 2008 framework of cooperation between AU and RECs/RMs on peace and security issues in Africa and calls by member states for closer collaboration to ensure peaceful and credible electoral processes in the continent.

The mission is led by His Excellency Domitien Ndayizeye, Chairperson of the African Union Panel of the Wise & Former President of Burundi, Head of Delegation. The other members include His Excellency Amre Moussa, Member of the African Union Panel of the Wise, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Egypt; Honorable Mike Kennedy Sebalu, Member of the COMESA Committee of Eminent Persons, Ambassador Ashraf Rached, Member of the EAC Committee of Elders, Former Ambassador & Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Egypt, Ambassador Marie Pierre Lyoyd, Member of the EAC Committee of Elders, Former Minister of Health, Seychelles, Madam Monique Andreas Esoavelomandroso, Member of EAC Committee of Elders, Former Minister of Decentralisation & Development of Autonomous Provinces, Madagascar, Idrissa Kamara – Mission Coordinator, African Union Commission, David Onen – Snr. Political Affairs Officer, East African Community, Elisabeth Mutunga – Head, Governance, Peace and Security, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, Oscar Bloh, Legal Expert, African Union Commission

The mission will also have consultations with other election stakeholders including the IEBC, ORPP, State Department of Interior and citizen services, National Cohesion and Integration Commission, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, Inspector General of Police, Office of the Chief Justice, the Attorney General, Media council, political coalitions, civil society groups among others.