Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) verification officer Aisha Mohammed (L, Front) shows the process of verifying forms 34 A and 34 B to Thabo Mbeki, head of African Union elections observer team to Kenyan at the National Tally Centre in Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya, Oct. 29, 2017. Voting in Kenya's repeat presidential polls began on Thursday as some polling stations, mainly in opposition strongholds, reported disruptions and low voter turnout. (Xinhua/Allan Mutiso)

NAIROBI, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Election Observer Mission on Tuesday gave a positive assessment of Kenya's just concluded repeat presidential polls but urged political players to engage in dialogue to heal the country from polarization.

The observers said in a preliminary statement that the repeat polls adhered to Kenya's electoral laws and the constitution save for sporadic riots in opposition strongholds and bad weather that marred the exercise in remote parts of the country.

"Overall, the stipulated procedures for opening, voting, closing and counting were largely complied with," the statement said. "The AU observer mission noted improvements in the technical conduct of the elections."

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki led the AU team that observed Kenya's repeat presidential polls that were characterized by low voter turnout, protests and boycotts in opposition strongholds.

The AU deployed observers to 20 counties during the Oct. 26 repeat presidential election.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta (R, front) receives the certificate as the winner of the repeat presidential election from Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chabukati in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Oct. 30, 2017. Kenya's Uhuru Kenyatta won the repeat presidential elections boycotted by opposition, garnering 98.2 percent of the vote cast, Kenya's electoral body said on Monday.(Xinhua/Charles Onyango)

According to Mbeki, the AU observers focused mainly on technical aspects of the voting exercise that included results transmission from the constituency to the national tallying center in Nairobi.

He decried violent protests and intimidation of election officials in opposition strongholds of western Kenya and several Nairobi slums that tainted the Oct. 26 repeat polls.

"The mission notes with concern acts of violence in some parts of the country which prevented conduct of election in such places. The destruction of property, injuries and loss of lives that were reported during these events must be condemned," said Mbeki.

Kenya's electoral body on Monday evening declared President Uhuru Kenyatta the winner of the repeat polls, saying the incumbent president garnered 7.48 million, or 98.26 percent, of the 7.61 million valid votes cast.