The Fourth President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta has called for stronger democratic systems across Africa, saying citizens must feel included in governance and must have a real chance to choose their leaders.

In a statement shared by the Office of the 4th President of Kenya (@4thPresidentKE), on Monday, June 1, 2026, Kenyatta said democracy remains a key pillar for the continent’s political and social progress.

“Democracy is something that we, as Africans, seek to strengthen and entrench across the continent so that people can enjoy true representation, feel included in governance, and have the opportunity to elect leaders of their choice,” he said.

The remarks came as Kenyatta carried out his role in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he led the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) ahead of the country’s general election held on June 1, 2026. The mission engaged electoral officials and observed the opening stages of voting across selected polling stations.

At the polling centres he visited, Kenyatta said voting started on time and in an orderly manner.

“Well, let us say that first and foremost they have started on time and I think that is a positive thing,” he said. “We found all the materials are here. We found voters patiently waiting to begin voting.”

He noted that the early process showed organisation and calm participation from voters.

“So initial thought is the process has started and we will continue to monitor during the course of the day to see the flow and then be back at the end of the day,” he said. “But so far we can say that the process has started, it is moving, it is flowing and we hope it continues like that for the rest of the day.”

Voting as democratic right

Kenyatta said voting forms the foundation of democratic governance because it allows citizens to choose their representatives freely.

“Voting is the exercise of citizens having their democratic right to choose their representatives and their leaders,” he said. “Democracy is something that we in the African continent would like to entrench so that we have true representation, we have a feeling of inclusion and we have the ability of people to be able to choose the leaders of their choice.”

He added that the African Union continues to support stronger democratic systems across member states, even as countries face different political and security challenges.

“Those are the principles that the African Union stands by and we hope that as we keep moving forward and progressing we will keep entrenching this democracy,” he said. “We agree that in some instances there are challenges but we hope that with each election we can become better and better as we move along.”

Kenyatta said Ethiopia’s election carries wider importance for the continent because of its political influence and size.

“Ethiopia being the capital of this great continent, a success here resounds across the continent,” he said. “So we are wishing the people of Ethiopia well and we hope and trust that the process shall be in order. Thank you.”

His visit to Ethiopia comes at a time when the country holds elections expected to be dominated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his Prosperity Party. More than 50 million voters are registered, although polling did not take place in parts of Tigray and Amhara due to insecurity linked to past and ongoing conflicts.