Foreign Diplomats Support Proposed Dialogue Between President Uhuru and Raila

Foreign diplomats have thrown their weight behind the six-month national dialogue between Jubilee and National Super Alliance (NASA) being proposed by clerics and members of the private sector starting January, 2018.

United States, United Kingdom and German envoys, who have been pushing for dialogue on Thursday welcomed the move, saying it would avert the looming ethnic and political divisions in the country.

In a joint statement, Ambassadors Robert Godec (US), Nic Hailey (UK) and Jutta Frasch (Germany) said dialogue was essential in driving Kenya forward.

“We strongly support the proposal by business and religious leaders for a national conversation to openly and transparently address issues of national interest involving all Kenyans,” Frasch said.

President Kenyatta and the opposition leader have, however differed sharply on what talks between then should be premised on. While Odinga has maintained the discussions must mainly focus on electoral justice and a fresh presidential poll, Uhuru on the other side say talks must be devoid of politics and should only be about development.

“I applaud and strongly support business and religious leaders’ statement calling for a sustained, open and transparent national conversation involving all Kenyans to build national unity and address long-standing issues,” Godec said.