British Newspaper Accuses Kenyan Envoys of 'Begging' Countries to Congratulate President Uhuru

A British Newspaper claims that the Jubilee administration is soliciting for congratulatory messages from foreign countries for President Uhuru Kenyatta following Monday's Supreme Court decision that upheld his re-election.

In a story on Tuesday, London-based Financial Times (FT) reported that Kenya's Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed asked her UK counterpart Boris Johnson to applaud President Uhuru for his re-election, which was unanimously upheld by six apex court judges on Monday.

Financial Times said that Johnson's decision to oblige to Amina's appeal had sparked criticism in London. FT quoted an e-mail message reportedly crafted by Johnson Weru, who is Kenyan envoy to Brussels, that suggested he was appealing to other countries to recognize Uhuru's reelection after the ruling by the top court.

“Following the Supreme Court of Kenya ruling early today and which has upheld the victory of President Kenyatta, I am kindly requesting your indulgence in preparing and dispatching a suitable congratulations message. I am at hand for any quick consultations,” the Times quoted Ambassador Weru as saying in the e-mail sent to senior foreign ministry officials.

However, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Monica Juma dismissed the claims, stating that countries who had sent their congratulatory messages did so on their own will.

“From where we sit, the Supreme Court win is a reaffirmation of President Kenyatta’s August 8th win. Generally, everybody is commending the country for following the course of the rule of law. That is the general reaction. Actually, many of them (countries) are saying: Let’s move on,” Ms Juma told the Nation.

Commenting on the report by Financial Times , she said: “Officially, we do not communicate through e-mail, that is not the format in diplomacy. If the Financial Times is interested in any information, our High Commission in London is open for them.”

State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu said that more than 40 countries had sent their message to congratulate President Uhuru for his reelection.

“Some of you have asked about how many countries have congratulated the President on his re-election. As of yesterday (Monday), we can confirm that more than 40 countries had done so. The Foreign Ministry will release details in due course. Essentially, these congratulatory messages are normally channelled through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu told journalists during a press briefing at noon on Tuesday.