Whereas the United States has deep interests in Kenya’s democratic stability and regional leadership, and a free and fair election in Kenya holds regional significance as an example for other African countries with elections scheduled in the near future; Whereas Kenya’s general elections are scheduled for August 8, 2017; Whereas electoral violence in 2007 and 2008 resulted in the deaths of at least 1,300 people and the displacement of 600,000, effectively paralyzing the country and the wider region for more than two months before the creation of a power-sharing government; Whereas Kenyans adopted a new Constitution in 2010 that sought to devolve power to 47 counties and their elected governors and local representatives; Whereas the public confidence in the electoral process is critical both to Kenya’s continued democratic progress and to ensuring transparency in electoral preparations, and is vital for the success of the August 8 elections; Whereas despite having a permissive legal environment, the Government of Kenya has taken actions to limit democratic space for civil society and media organizations, which could adversely affect their contributions to a credible, peaceful election and broader democratic consolidation; Whereas there have been deeply concerning instances of hate speech by all sides, inciting supporters to ethnic violence as a means by which to gain electoral advantage, intimidate electoral rivals, or suppress voter turnout; and Whereas the political parties, monitoring groups, and the media have the legal authority to record polling station results and tallies at the constituency and national levels in order to ensure that the process is perceived as honest and transparent: Now, therefore, be it