International business daily, Financial Times, says Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Ministry is seeking congratulatory messages for President Uhuru Kenyatta since the Supreme Court upheld his victory.
On Monday, Chief Justice David Maraga said the six judges of the apex court unanimously determined that the petition challenging Uhuru’s victory lacks merit.
“The court has unanimously determined that the petitions are not merited,” said Maraga in his ruling.
Uhuru has since received congratulatory messages including from UK’s own Foreign Secretary Borris Johnson.
About 39 other foreign including China, Israel among other nations have also congratulated the President on his re-election.
State House Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu on Monday said Uhuru has received congratulatory messages from 40 countries.
But in a publication by FT, it says that several diplomats stationed in foreign countries have been seeking congratulatory messages from their capitals.
The publication has captured an e-mail from Kenya’s ambassador to Brussels and European Union John Weru.
“Following the Supreme Court ruling early today and which has held the victory of President Uhuru Kenyatta, I am kindly requesting your indulgence in preparing and dispatching a suitable congratulations message. I am at hand for any quick consultation,” read the e-mail from the diplomat.
Usually, the congratulatory messages are not sought for from other nations.
But Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Monicah Juma has trashed FT’s claims saying the congratulatory messages coming in are not ‘asked for’ by diplomats.
“From where we sit, the Supreme Court win is a re-affirmation of President Kenyatta’s August 8 win. Generally, everybody is commending the country following the course of rule of law. That is the general reaction. Actually, many of them [foreign countries] are saying: Let’s move on,” the PS told Daily Nation on Wednesday in response to FT’s publication.
Further, she dismissed FT’s assertion of e-mail communication citing that it is not the format in diplomacy.
“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,” she added.
Uhuru will be sworn-in on Tuesday next week.
In his second term, he has promised Kenyans to heal the nation which is ailing from ethnic and tribal divisions.
The protracted political battle with his main challenger Raila Odinga has worsened the tribal rift further.
Clerics, politicians and the international community have urged him to draw course for nation healing immediately he assumes office officially.