Uhuru Kenyatta Appointed Head Of AU Election Observation Mission In South Africa

• Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is slated to head a team of observers tasked with monitoring the upcoming general election in South Africa
• Uhuru, alongside other observers, will be obligated to do impartial reporting or assessment of the quality of the elections
• Uhuru did not secure a government-funded office block that he is entitled to under the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act of 2003

Former president Uhuru Kenyatta has been appointed to head the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) for South Africa in May 2024.

Uhuru's responsibilities in AUEOM

The African Union Commission (AUC) disclosed that Uhuru is set to lead a team of observers designated to monitor the forthcoming general election in South Africa.

The AU team is set to start observing the elections from May 21 to June 3.

The role of the team will be to offer impartial reporting or assessment of the quality of the poll, encompassing the extent to which the election conduct aligns with regional, continental, and international standards for democratic elections.

According to a report done by the South African Broadcasting Corporation, the observers will also provide recommendations for enhancing future elections, grounded in their findings.

This effort underscores the AU's solidarity and backing for South Africa's electoral and democratization endeavours, aimed at fostering democratic, credible, and peaceful elections conducive to good governance, peace, and stability in the country.

Uhuru rejects office offered by govt

Earlier, Uhuru did not to secure a government-funded office block that he is entitled to under the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act of 2003.

The government wanted Uhuru to settle in the office block at Nairobi’s Nyari estate that was assigned to the late president Mwai Kibaki, but Uhuru wanted to use his residence near State House, Nairobi.

As per the law, a living retired president is entitled to an office and permanent staff, who are public officers compensated according to the terms set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), inclusive of retirement package and insurance expenses, among other benefits.

Proofreading by Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke