ADDIS ABABA, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The East African bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), announced on Thursday it has deployed an electoral mission to observe polls in Kenya.

In a press statement, IGAD said an observer mission led by former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome will observe the Kenya general election slated for next month.

"IGAD is honored to be invited by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of Kenya to observe this year's general elections, and the regional organization is pleased to continue to work with the people of Kenya, electoral institution, political leaders and other observer missions to advance the democratization process," Executive Secretary of IGAD Workneh Gebeyehu said in a statement.

Gebeyehu further wished the people of Kenya a democratic, peaceful and successful polls.

Kenya is a member nation of the strong regional bloc formed in 1986. The eight IGAD member states are Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda.

Analysts say while previous Kenyan polls have been shaped mostly by ethnic politics, the 2022 race has also seen economic issues come to the fore, with both frontrunners Raila Odinga and William Ruto promising sweeping reforms that will help spur economic growth. Enditem

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