US pledges to assist Kenya hold free pollsBy LUCAS BARASA in Nairobi | Thursday, May 31   2012 at  18:01

The US has pledged to assist Kenya conduct free and fair elections.

Visiting Delaware Senator Christopher Coons said the US was committed in supporting the implementation of the Constitution, especially devolution.

“The US will support the process of the election but has no interest on any candidate or region,” Mr Coons said while responding to questions from University of Nairobi students Thursday.

Mr Coons, who gave a lecture on Kenya’s relations with the US, said even Egypt had just completed its first democratic elections after many years and that nothing should stop Kenya from holding transparent polls.

US ambassador to Kenya Major General (Rtd) Scott Gration urged the government to provide national identification cards (IDs) to seven million youth without the document to enable them register for the elections.

“Everybody should get a chance to vote,” the envoy said.

He said the US was working with the international community to ensure the youth and other marginalised groups are empowered.

Mr Coons also said Kenyan post-election violence cases should proceed at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

He said the US only wanted accountability and transparency but was not pressing for a certain outcome.

“The ICC incidents are difficult to be resolved in Kenyan courts. There are certain crimes which are not just local,” he said.

Those found guilty should answer for the charges, Mr Coons said.