Lord Gainsfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made about the prospects for free and fair elections in Kenya.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyWe warmly welcome the Kenyan Government's expressed commitment to free and fair elections, to which end we have given considerable practical assistance. We have provided all the ballot boxes, trained key electoral officials, supplied some office equipment to the Electoral Commission, and have made a significant financial contribution through the Commonwealth Secretariat to the Commonwealth observer team. We are also supporting local projects to educate the electorate and monitor election media coverage. The total cost of our assistance is now over £800,000.
While there have been improvements in recent weeks, we remain concerned about the evenness of the playing field. We continue to urge the Kenyan Government to be more open, establish a better dialogue with the opposition, allow all parties unhindered campaigning in all parts of the country, ensure freedom of the press and reasonable access by opposition parties to the broadcast media. We are making the same points about openness and transparency to the Electoral Commission. Electoral observers will base their assessment not just on the events of polling day but on the conduct of the whole electoral process.
Above all, it is essential that all concerned should avoid the use or encouragement of violence of intimidation before, during and after the elections.