Economy

Financial Times: Kenya appealing for Uhuru victory messages

manoah

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s spokesman, Manoah Esipisu. FILE PHOTO | NMG

The Foreign Affairs ministry is seeking congratulatory messages from Western capitals after the Supreme Court upheld the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta in last month’s repeat election, the Financial Times reported.

The publication revealed that diplomats from several countries said Nairobi had sought congratulations from their capitals. 

It captured an e-mail from Johnson Weru, Kenya’s ambassador to Brussels and the European Union: “Following the Supreme Court of Kenya ruling early today and which has upheld the victory of President Kenyatta, I am kindly requesting your indulgence in preparing and dispatching a suitable congratulations message. I am at hand for any quick consultations.” 

Normally, the messages are not prompted by the recipient country.

On Tuesday, Mr Kenyatta’s spokesman, Manoah Esipisu, said more than 40 countries had congratulated the President. They include the United Kingdom, South Sudan, Bangladesh and Uganda.

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta in last month’s repeat presidential vote, paving the way for him to be sworn in on Tuesday.

Chief Justice David Maraga said all six judges dismissed the two legal challenges to the vote.

The court did not detail its reasons. It said it would issue a full judgment within 21 days.

The Supreme Court ordered the October 26 election after nullifying the results of the August election, citing irregularities in the tallying of votes.
The opposition boycotted the poll, which Kenyatta won with 98 per cent of the vote.