Political Instability to Persist in Kenya, US Warns

The United States has warned that political instability in Kenya is likely to persist as the country's opposition continues to seek redress of various grievances surrounding last year's bitterly contested presidential elections.

In a report by US Intelligence agencies, the US says Kenya and neighboring Ethiopia face similar political problems and both governments are likely to face persistent public agitation.

“The Ethiopian and Kenyan Governments are likely to face opposition from public's agitating for redress of political grievances,” reads part of a report by the agencies.

The report titled Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community, was presented to Capitol Hill by the director of National Intelligence, Daniel Coats.

The warning by the US intelligence comes at a time when foreign envoys, mainly drawn from Western countries have been trying to bring the opposition and the ruling party to the table for dialogue.

Earlier this week, envoys from 11 countries including those from the US, Britain, Germany and France urged the opposition to first recognize Kenyatta as the country's legitimately elected President, as a starting point to a dialogue to end the political stalemate.

"We are deeply concerned by recent political developments in Kenya. Both the government and the opposition have taken steps that have undermined Kenya's institutions, and driven wedges among its citizen," the envoys said in a statement.

National Super Alliance (Nasa) has maintained that it won the August 8th,2017 polls, and went ahead to swear in its leader Raila Odinga as people's president in a mock ceremony held on January 30th.

Nasa has insisted it will not move on and has vowed to use all means to agitate for electoral reforms and justice. It has vowed not to recognize Kenyatta's Presidency.