NAIROBI, July 3 (Xinhua) -- The European Union on Monday warned that violence may erupt in Kenya if the electoral process is not insulated from malpractices such as rigging and voter intimidation.
Marietje Schaake, the Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Kenya said at a media briefing in Nairobi that electoral related skirmishes could recur in the absence of strong measures to contain them.
"There are concerns about possible eruption of violence as Kenya head to the polls," Schaake said during the official launch of the EU election observer mission to Kenya's August general election.
The Dutch national noted that a growing number of Kenyans have expressed concern over possibility of violence during and after the Aug. 8 polls but stressed such a scenario can be avoided if key players in the electoral process settled for dialogue rather than confrontation.
"Kenyan institutions have a special role in this election and that is the conversation we have been having with key players like party leaders, civil society and electoral body," said Schaake.
The EU last week deployed 30 long-term observers to different Kenyan counties to assess the campaigns and election preparedness.
Schaake reiterated that the observer mission will remain impartial while assessing Kenya's readiness to conduct free, transparent and peaceful elections.
Kenyans head to the polls on August 8 to choose a new president, lawmakers and regional representatives.
The campaign season has already entered the home-stretch as major political players traverse the country in search of votes.
Heated rhetoric in the campaign trail has raised concern among Kenya's bilateral allies and institutions charged with promoting peace and cohesion in the country.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned in a report on Monday that inter-communal tensions were building up in Naivasha area in Nakuru County ahead of Kenya's general elections.
According to the HRW report, different Kenyan ethnic groups expressed concern over toxic campaign rhetoric that may plunge the country into election related skirmishes like the ones experienced in 2007 and 2008.
