By Dorothy Musyoka and Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
In a significant diplomatic move, former Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta, the head of the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) on Monday met with the National Operational and Intelligent Structure (NATJOINS).
The meeting brought together the National Operational and Intelligent Structure (NATJOINS), spearheaded by Major General Mashadi Selepe of the South African Police Service, and President Kenyatta.
The primary agenda of the gathering was to deliberate on security strategies and preparations ahead of the imminent 29th May General Elections.
With looming concerns over potential threats to the electoral process, the collaboration between NATJOINS and Kenyatta’s delegation aimed to bolster security measures and ensure the smooth conduct of the elections.
“The purpose of the meeting was to discuss security measures for the upcoming 29th May General Elections,” highlighted the retired president’s office.
President Kenyatta further engaged in discussions with South Africa’s esteemed Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo. Emphasizing the paramount importance of the judiciary in upholding the rule of law.
President Kenyatta underscored the crucial role of the judiciary in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process stressing the need for fairness and transparency.
His Excellency met with representatives from the South African Council of Churches, emphasizing the crucial role that faith-based organizations play in promoting peaceful and credible elections.
The former President also met with Media Monitoring Africa (MMA), an organization that promotes ethical journalism and ensures balanced and impartial media coverage during elections.
The retired President emphasized the importance of the media’s role during elections and the need for accurate reporting throughout the election period.
He further met with representatives from the South African Council of Churches, emphasizing the crucial role that faith-based organizations play in promoting peaceful and credible elections.
According to Uhuru, these meetings emphasize the importance of a multi-faceted approach to election observation, with the involvement of religious organizations, media watchdogs, and government officials playing integral roles in ensuring transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
These efforts underscore the African Union’s commitment to supporting member states in upholding democratic principles and promoting stability across the continent.