British
High Commissioner Christian Turner said his government was the first to
congratulate President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto after
last year’s elections.
The envoy added that Britain
invited President Kenyatta to London for the Somalia conference in May
last year, a proof that the West had nothing sinister against his
government.
Noting Britain was Kenya’s oldest partner,
Dr Turner said his country was willing and ready to work with the
present democratically elected administration until 2017, when fresh
elections will be held.
The envoy was addressing guests during the Queen’s birthday at his residence in Muthaiga on Thursday.
He,
however, noted the government should allow for a strong Opposition,
space for civil society, a free media, respect for human rights, fight
impunity, roll out devolution, tackle corruption and implement
Constitution.
“Our governments have shown shared
resolve to end poaching, and stop economic and security threats that
come with international wildlife crime,” Dr Turner noted. On the closure
of the consular office in Mombasa and travel advisories, the envoy said
the measure should not affect game parks and safari destinations.
“Our
level of advice for Nairobi, or for Kenya’s wonderful national parks
and safari destinations has not changed for two years,” he said.
The
envoy said only 300 tourists from the UK had been evacuated on the
advice of their tour company, but 25,000 other Britons remained in
Kenya.
The High Commissioner said his country was also
not involved in competition between the East and West, adding, Britain
welcomed and was even excited about increased Chinese investment in
Kenya.
“This is not a cold war or the Great Game of the
19th century. This is a multi-polar world where all countries benefit
from a rise in foreign investments,” he said.
The
envoy also stated that Britain would not abandon Kenya in the face of
terrorism, adding that the attack at Mpeketoni had hardened resolve to
work with Kenya in tackling the threat.
“We are
committed to strengthening Kenya’s capacity to counter this shared
threat through assistance on investigating, prosecuting and detaining
terrorists.”
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