NAIROBI: It is “difficult to guarantee a free, fair and credible election” in Kenya’s fresh presidential vote just eight days away despite “full technical preparedness,” the head of the election commission said on Wednesday as another wave of uncertainty swept through East Africa’s largest economy.

Wafula Chebukati spoke hours after a top Kenyan electoral official resigned and fled to the United States, saying the election on Oct 26 cannot be free and fair.

“Not when the staff are getting last-minute instructions on changes in technology and electronic transmission of results. Not when in parts of the country, the training of presiding officers is being rushed for fear of attacks from protesters,” said Roselyn Akombe, who had been a commissioner on the electoral board.

Speaking to The Associated Press from New York, Akombe said she fled out of fear for her life.

The Supreme Court last month nullified the August election in which President Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner, citing irregularities, and ordered a fresh one.

Kenyans woke up to the latest news in shock. Many opposition supporters backed Akombe’s decision, while ruling party supporters accused her of attempting to sabotage elections.

Protesters in the opposition stronghold of Kisumu city in western Kenya threw chairs and destroyed tents where an election training camp was being set up for officials.

“There is no way we are going for an election where the referee is partisan,” said Kisumu’s deputy governor, Mathews Ochieng Owili.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga, whose legal challenge of vote-rigging led to the ruling, last week withdrew from the new election because electoral reforms had not been made. Among them, he wants some election commission staffers to be replaced.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2017