BOISE, Idaho – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement following the declaration of the results of Kenya's August 9th presidential election:
“I congratulate the Kenyan people for their peaceful and earnest participation in the recent August 9th general elections. The electoral process to date has largely remained free from violence and signified the country’s further democratic consolidation.
“Kenyans waited peacefully for days as the election commission, the IEBC, completed sorting, counting, and tallying votes from across the country. All stakeholders must continue to pursue a peaceful conclusion to this election process under their constitution, and all contestants must follow legal and constitutional electoral dispute resolution processes. The international community, including the United States, should continue supporting Kenyans as they once again navigate this tense period.”
Background:
On Monday, August 15, Wafula Chebukati, chairman of Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), announced the official results of the August 9th presidential election. The IEBC declared Deputy President William Ruto president-elect.
###