Uhuru UK visit under intense media scrutiny

President Uhuru Kenyatta during his inauguration at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani in Nairobi. PHOTO/FILE 

By PAUL REDFERN and LUCAS BARAS

 

 

 

 

 

In Summary

• Before the March 4 elections, Britain and other foreign countries said they would have only “essential contacts” with his administration if he won because of the ICC case.

President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to leave for the UK to attend the second London conference on Somalia that starts on Tuesday.

President Kenyatta’s visit has attracted huge interest in international media, with most pointing out that the UK has invited a leader facing crimes against humanity charges at the International Criminal Court to the conference.

President Kenyatta’s visit comes just two days after former Prime Minister Raila Odinga arrived back from London where he criticised the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission over the conduct of the March 4 elections. He also took issue with the Supreme Court for affirming President Kenyatta’s win.

There are fears the bad publicity by the international press over President Kenyatta’s visit could overshadow his visit. President Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto, who also faces trial at the ICC, have both said they will co-operate fully with the court. They deny the charges against them.

Mr Ruto’s trial is expected to start later this month, while President Kenyatta’s is scheduled for July.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s invitation to President Kenyatta to attend Tuesday’s international conference is, however, the clearest signal of London’s intention to keep close relations with Nairobi.It will be President Kenyatta’s first trip to the West since his election.

Before the March 4 elections, Britain and other foreign countries said they would have only “essential contacts” with his administration if he won because of the ICC case.

However, a combination of vital strategic interests, economic ties, tourism and historic links have led to calls for a change of approach to dealing with Kenya’s new leader.

The official line from the Foreign Office in London is that Kenya “is a vital partner on Somalia and we judge our contact according to the issue concerned”.

The office added that the invitation was extended because Kenya’s leader had committed to co-operating with the court in The Hague.

President Kenyatta will not only attend the summit but is also due to have face-to-face meetings with the British PM.While there has been criticism in the UK press for Kenyan MPs’ proposed pay increase, the new Cabinet has received much praise.

Mr William Hague, the UK Foreign Secretary, said Somalia leaders “need international support to build up” security forces and the coastguard in an effort to tackle piracy.

During the conference, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to present plans for rebuilding military, police and justice systems.