Statement by H.E. Kofi Annan on behalf of the AU Panel of Eminent African Personalities on the decision by the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kenya on the presidential election petition.   

I take note of today’s unanimous decision by the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kenya to dismiss the presidential election petition filed by Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

The Supreme Court’s decision, inter alia, upholds the declaration by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on 9 March 2013 of Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto as President-elect and Deputy President-elect, respectively.

I congratulate the winners and would like to pay tribute, once again, to the tremendous patience that the Kenyan people have exercised as they waited for the conclusion of this much anticipated process.

In accordance with the Constitution, the decision by the Supreme Court is final, and I applaud the Prime Minister’s reaffirmation that he will honour the ruling as such.

I call upon all the people of Kenya to do the same, and to continue to exercise the calm, restraint and tolerance that they have exemplified over the last month.

Kofi A. Annan

30 March 2013