NAIROBI, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Africa's regional bloc on Friday called on Kenyans to shun violence following the conclusion of the fresh presidential elections on Thursday.
The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which monitored the repeat polls in Nairobi, also called on the security forces to refrain from the use of excessive force on anti-poll protesters in Nairobi and Western Kenya.
"We exhort all parties to avoid any kind of violent acts, and the security forces to refrain from the use of excessive force," Head of the IGAD Election Observation Mission Tewolde Gebremeskel said in a statement issued in Nairobi.
The statement comes as one person was shot dead in Bungoma in Western Kenya during clashes on Friday between anti-poll protesters and the police after a divisive repeat presidential election that was marred by low voter turnout.
At least six people have so far lost their lives in Western Kenya, the stronghold of opposition leader Raila Odinga who boycotted the Thursday's poll and had urged his supporters to stay away from the exercise.
The demonstrators blocked key roads, burnt bonfires and vehicles and chanted anti-government songs, demanding dialogue between Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Bungoma County police commander Charles Munyoli said they made a number of arrests, who he said will be arraigned in court once investigations have been completed.
"We have arrested people turning the protests into looting sprees," Munyoli said and warned youths saying they will ensure peace by all means.
In its statement, the IGAD urged all stakeholders, especially political and civil society leaders as well as the security organs, to support the peaceful and orderly conduct of the polling.
Gebremeskel pointed out that the decision to postpone the election in four counties in Western Kenya offers each and every Kenyan the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right under these exceptional circumstances.
He noted that the signal by President Uhuru Kenyatta to reach out to Odinga after the election as a way of unifying the country.
"The openness of President Kenyatta is commendable and his willingness to discuss beyond election times is worth being applauded and encouraged," Gebremeskel said.
He said Kenya is a founding IGAD member country that has demonstrated resilience and allowed its people to overcome challenges on their way to prosperity.
"Kenya plays a pivotal role in the development within the region and has the responsibility to keep on being a locomotive for peace, prosperity and regional integration," Gebremeskel said.
Meanwhile, the National Super Alliance (NASA) has dismissed Thursday repeat presidential poll as a 'Jubilee farce' and shame to Kenya and condemned planned repeat poll in four counties in Western Kenya.
The electoral body plans to hold the election on Saturday in Kisumu, Migori, Homa Bay and Siaya amid stiff resistance from the local community.
The opposition called on the IEBC to cancel the planned elections and accused government of profiling and targeting the region for standing with Odinga, who pulled out of the Thursday election.
