By AFRICA REVIEW Writer | Sunday, March 31 2013
World leaders have congratulated Kenya President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta after a historic Supreme Court ruling Saturday upheld his March 4 election victory.
The United States, EU, UN and the UK were among those who sent in messages, having avoided directly congratulating Mr Kenyatta after the polls, instead opting to praise Kenyans for holding peaceful elections.
A statement from a Downing Street spokesperson read: “The Prime Minister [David Cameron] wrote to President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta today. He congratulated the President-elect and all others elected in Kenya’s elections.”
"The Prime Minister also underlined his strong commitment to the partnership that exists between Kenya and the UK. He described the relationship as deep and historic, with a substantial shared agenda of stability, security, development and prosperity that benefits both our countries.
"He looked forward to working with the President-elect’s new Government to build on this partnership, and to help realise the great potential of a united Kenya in line with Vision 2030," the statement added.
An EU spokesperson Saturday said: “The President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, sent a message today to President Kenyatta congratulating him, the people of Kenya, and all others duly elected, on the successful and largely peaceful conduct of the elections.”
'Progress made'
He added: “Kenyans can be proud that the political reform process of their country is bearing fruit. With continued efforts to implement the new Constitution Kenyans can build the globally competitive and prosperous nation they aspire to be.”
A statement from White House press secretary Jay Carney said the Kenyan electoral process and the peaceful adjudication of disputes in the legal system were testaments to the progress made in strengthening its democratic institutions.
"On behalf of the President and the people of the United States, we congratulate Uhuru Kenyatta on his election as president of Kenya. We also congratulate the people of Kenya on the peaceful conduct of the election and commend Raila Odinga for accepting the Supreme Court's decision. We urge all Kenyans to peacefully accept the results of the election," read the statement.
In reference to the charges facing Mr Kenyatta and deputy-President elect William Ruto at the International Criminal Court, the US said Kenya was "an important member" of the international community.
"We welcome and wish to underscore the importance of Kenya's commitment to uphold its international obligations, including those with respect to international justice," said the statement.
UN boss Ban Ki-moon also congratulated Mr Kenyatta in a telephone conversation.
"The secretary-general wishes the newly-elected government and people of Kenya every success in meeting the many challenges and opportunities facing Kenya," a UN spokesman said in a written statement.
"The United Nations pledges its strong support."
The ICC issue threatens to give western governments a headache over bilateral relations with the strategic East African country.
Heated debate
During a heated debate in the British House of Commons, MPs led by Mr Eric Joyce – the independent legislator for Falkirk – challenged the government to state whether it would maintain its ties with Kenya despite the cases facing Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto at The Hague.
Giving the official government response, UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Alistair Burt maintained that the UK had never threatened to severe or weaken ties with Nairobi should Kenyans elect Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto.
“The UK has never threatened sanctions against Kenya on this issue. The charges are against three individuals, not Kenya as a whole.”
Journalist Joshua Sang is also charged alongside Mr Ruto over the violence that followed the country's disputed presidential election in 2007. Charges against Mr Kenyatta's co-accused, former civil service boss Francis Muthaura were recently dropped for lack of evidence.
Other countries, including France, also congratulated Mr Kenyatta, while regional bloc the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) also weighed in.
Chinese view
China said it was confident that Kenya would achieve new successes under Mr Kenyatta.
"China and Kenya have maintained profound traditional friendship. China attaches great importance to the development of the long-term friendly relations and cooperation with Kenya," Mr Wu Shifan, the Chinese Embassy spokesman in Nairobi said.
Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said his government will work cordially with Mr Kenyatta's government.
“The outcome of the elections is indicative of the will and choice of the Kenyan general public entrusting you with their future. Also, we belief that the brotherly and friendly relations and cooperation that exist between Somalia and Kenya will continues to expand into the future,” he said in a statement.
Kenyan forces are part of the AU mission in Somalia that have been helping stabilise the Horn of Africa country.
Uganda President Yoweri Museveni said Ugandans and the ruling NRM party congratulated Mr Kenyatta. "We look forward to consolidating the brotherly relations between our two countries within the wider East African and the Great Lakes region," he said in a statement.
"We also congratulate the people of Kenya on holding such peaceful elections. Their conduct has redeemed the honour of Kenya and Africa."
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