World leaders have congratulated Kenya President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta after a historic Supreme Court ruling Saturday upheld his March 4 election victory.
The United States, EU, UN and the UK were among
those who sent in messages, having avoided directly congratulating Mr
Kenyatta after the polls, instead opting to praise Kenyans for holding
peaceful elections.
A statement from a Downing Street spokesperson
read: “The Prime Minister [David Cameron] wrote to President-elect
Uhuru Kenyatta today. He congratulated the President-elect and all
others elected in Kenya’s elections.”
"The Prime Minister also underlined his strong
commitment to the partnership that exists between Kenya and the UK. He
described the relationship as deep and historic, with a substantial
shared agenda of stability, security, development and prosperity that
benefits both our countries.
"He looked forward to working with the
President-elect’s new Government to build on this partnership, and to
help realise the great potential of a united Kenya in line with Vision
2030," the statement added.
An EU spokesperson Saturday said: “The President
of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, sent a message today to
President Kenyatta congratulating him, the people of Kenya, and all
others duly elected, on the successful and largely peaceful conduct of
the elections.”
'Progress made'
He added: “Kenyans can be proud that the political
reform process of their country is bearing fruit. With continued
efforts to implement the new Constitution Kenyans can build the globally
competitive and prosperous nation they aspire to be.”
A statement from White House press secretary
Jay Carney said the Kenyan electoral process and the peaceful
adjudication of disputes in the legal system were testaments to the
progress made in strengthening its democratic institutions.
"On behalf of the President and the people of the
United States, we congratulate Uhuru Kenyatta on his election as
president of Kenya. We also congratulate the people of Kenya on the
peaceful conduct of the election and commend Raila Odinga for accepting the Supreme Court's decision. We urge all Kenyans to peacefully accept the results of the election," read the statement.
In reference to the charges facing Mr Kenyatta and
deputy-President elect William Ruto at the International Criminal
Court, the US said Kenya was "an important member" of the international
community.
"We welcome and wish to underscore the importance
of Kenya's commitment to uphold its international obligations, including
those with respect to international justice," said the statement.
UN boss Ban Ki-moon also congratulated Mr Kenyatta in a telephone conversation.
"The secretary-general wishes the newly-elected
government and people of Kenya every success in meeting the many
challenges and opportunities facing Kenya," a UN spokesman said in a
written statement.
"The United Nations pledges its strong support."
The ICC issue threatens to give western governments a headache over bilateral relations with the strategic East African country.
Heated debate
During a heated debate in the British House of
Commons, MPs led by Mr Eric Joyce – the independent legislator for
Falkirk – challenged the government to state whether it would maintain
its ties with Kenya despite the cases facing Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto at
The Hague.
Giving the official government response, UK
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth
Affairs Alistair Burt maintained that the UK had never threatened to
severe or weaken ties with Nairobi should Kenyans elect Mr Kenyatta and
Mr Ruto.
“The UK has never threatened sanctions against
Kenya on this issue. The charges are against three individuals, not
Kenya as a whole.”
Journalist Joshua Sang is also charged alongside
Mr Ruto over the violence that followed the country's disputed
presidential election in 2007. Charges against Mr Kenyatta's co-accused,
former civil service boss Francis Muthaura were recently dropped for
lack of evidence.
Other countries, including France, also
congratulated Mr Kenyatta, while regional bloc the Inter-Governmental
Authority on Development (IGAD) also weighed in.
Chinese view
China said it was confident that Kenya would achieve new successes under Mr Kenyatta.
"China and Kenya have maintained profound
traditional friendship. China attaches great importance to the
development of the long-term friendly relations and cooperation with
Kenya," Mr Wu Shifan, the Chinese Embassy spokesman in Nairobi said.
Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said his government will work cordially with Mr Kenyatta's government.
“The outcome of the elections is indicative of the
will and choice of the Kenyan general public entrusting you with their
future. Also, we belief that the brotherly and friendly relations and
cooperation that exist between Somalia and Kenya will continues to
expand into the future,” he said in a statement.
Kenyan forces are part of the AU mission in Somalia that have been helping stabilise the Horn of Africa country.
Uganda President Yoweri Museveni said Ugandans and
the ruling NRM party congratulated Mr Kenyatta. "We look forward to
consolidating the brotherly relations between our two countries within
the wider East African and the Great Lakes region," he said in a statement.
"We also congratulate the people of Kenya on
holding such peaceful elections. Their conduct has redeemed the honour
of Kenya and Africa."
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