Kenya opposition leader Raila Odinga says electoral officials’ lives threatened

Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga, of the opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) party, speaks during a political rally on September 3, 2017 in the Nairobi suburb of Huruma. (Photo by AFP)


The lives of some top officials with Kenya’s electoral commission are under “serious threat” from the government ahead of the new presidential election next month, opposition leader Raila Odinga claimed Friday.

Odinga, who successfully challenged President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election in court, told reporters that some commission officials have received “very threatening emails” and their security has been withdrawn.

“We are actually in a very dangerous situation in this country,” Odinga said. He also urged Kenyatta to resign.

Kenya’s government did not comment on Odinga’s claims.

The electoral commission is under pressure by the opposition to reform after the Supreme Court nullified Kenyatta’s re-election and cited irregularities in last month’s vote. Odinga had gone to court claiming vote-rigging.

Kenyatta has said the electoral commission should not be changed and has warned the judiciary not to interfere.

The new election is set for Oct. 17. Commission Chairman Wafula Chebukati has appointed a special team to oversee the new vote, excluding six top officials the opposition has accused of electoral fraud.