US Tells President Uhuru, Raila to Hold National Dialogue

United States Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec has urged President Uhuru Kenyatta and National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga to hold talks.

Godec called on the two leaders to hold an “immediate, sustained and transparent national dialogue to resolve the ongoing political impasse."

In a statement to the media on Monday, the envoy said the U.S was concerned with violence witnessed in some areas of the country during and after the October 26th repeat presidential election and urged political leaders to publicly denounce violence.

“The United States is profoundly concerned by the outbreaks of violence in Kenya following the October 26 election. Leaders and politicians should clearly and publicly reject violence and work to keep the peace and make every effort to ensure the supporters do so as well,” read part of the statement.

Godec further called on the  security apparatus not to use excessive force while repulsing demonstrators and “only use it when there is no other choice to protect life and property,” adding that protesters should exercise their rights peacefully.

“We are deeply concerned by reports of excessive use of force by the police; we urge that all such allegations be fully investigated and any officer who have acted outside the law be held to account,” added Godec.

He asked Kenyans not to subscribe to politics of hatred and ethnic division.