Kenya Election 2022: Election Official Found Dead

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A Kenyan election official who went missing shortly after last Tuesday’s general election has been found dead.

The body of Daniel Mbolu Musyoka was found near Mount Kilimanjaro, a long way from his base in the capital.

The reasons behind his death are unknown, but the news has added to the sense of anger in the wake of the disputed presidential election result.

William Ruto narrowly beat rival Raila Odinga to the presidency. But Mr Odinga’s allies have questioned this.
Mr Ruto took 50.5% of the vote, official results say.

Although in general this has so far been one of the most peaceful election periods in Kenya’s history, the chair of the electoral commission, Wafula Chebukati, said other staff members had been arbitrarily arrested and had faced intimidation or harassment.

Monday’s announcement of the result was delayed amid scuffles at the results centre and allegations of vote-rigging, made by Mr Odinga’s campaign.

He is due to break his silence shortly – but an ally told the BBC that Mr Odinga did not find the result “acceptable at all”.

“It has no credibility because four of the seven [election] commissioners have said they did not sign on to the announcement that Mr Ruto was lawfully elected,” Salim Lone said.

He was referring to the fact that the commissioners had refused to endorse the presidential result, saying the way it been handled was “opaque”. They did not give any further details on Monday.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, who was backing Mr Odinga to succeed him after completing two terms, has also not been seen in public or made any comments since election day 9 August.

By: BBC