US Invites Kenya for 'Friendship Party' for Declining to Vote against President Trump's Decision on Jerusalem

The United States has invited Kenya for a “friendship” party to be held on January 3rd in recognition of United Nations member-states that declined to vote against President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israeli capital.

The invitation sent to 63 other countries by the US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley is “to thank you for your friendship to the United States," the invitation letter reads.

A day before the voting, Haley and President Trump had warned they would cut aids to countries who would vote against US. Kenya and 21 countries declined to take part in the vote at the UN General Assembly on Thursday.

Of the 193-member States, 128 countries voted against President Trump's decision, nine in support, while 35 abstained. On Monday, Kenyan Ambassador to UN Macharia Kamau said Kenya would have abstained had it been present during the New York special sitting.

On why Kenya skipped the crucial session, Kamau said the Kenyan mission to UN had already taken a Christmas break by the time the sitting was convened.

“Mission had registered as closed as 20/12/17 prior to call of vote and [United States Ambassador to the United Nations] Nikki Haley’s threats. And by the way, Kenya policy is to abstain in Country Specific votes with the exception of Palestine and Cuba,” Kamau said.

He added, “That is Kenya’s normal voting pattern. Specific to Palestine. The Thursday vote was specific to the US. If the mission was open we would have abstained.”