Kenyans and Ugandans on social media elicited anger after President Uhuru Kenyatta sent congratulatory messages on Twitter and Facebook to Yoweri Museveni for his controversial win in the just concluded general election.
President Kenyatta on Sunday posted: “I am very pleased to congratulate His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni on his re-election as President of the Republic of Uganda. The people of Uganda have spoken, and they have spoken very clearly. We respect their choice of President Museveni.”
On Twitter, users under the hashtag #uhuruisnotkenya condemned the message, saying the Uganda elections were not free and fair, hence the post by President Kenyatta was uncalled for.
@bobsapesa on Twitter said: “#uhuruisnotkenya the guy who congratulated Nkurunzinza now congratulates Museveni, yet found it difficult congratulating Magufuli.”
Pierre Nkurunziza who caused controversy with his election for a third term as president has now governed Burundi for nearly 10 years.
John Pombe Magufuli was elected Tanzania President and has since demonstrated austerity measures in the country in a bid to improve living standards of the citizens.
On Facebook, users said President Kenyatta was wrong to congratulate Museveni over the disputed win.
They argued that he should not have spoken on behalf of all Kenyans.
Wanyama Evan said: “May the whole world understand that this is a personal statement from Uhuru and does not in any way represent the view of Kenyans. No sane mind can talk positive about an open dishonest election marred with irregularities and intimidation of opponents like Uganda's.”
K Rui Kennedy posted: “To the people of Uganda, we would like to clearly state that the support of Museveni by our President, Uhuru, is very personal and doesn't represent the true feelings of Kenyans.”
Ganga Putra Bhishma posted: “You have a right to congratulate him, but not in the name of Kenya. Kenyans have better democratic values. We are a country of free people and never detain political opponents.”
President Museveni was declared winner of the election with 60 per cent of the votes.
Dr Kizza Besigye who was his main challenger got 35 per cent of the total votes cast, according to the election body, in an election that was marred by police harassment, with condemnation from the international community.
Dr Besigye was under house arrest at his Kasangati home for hours.
He has since rejected the announced results that gave Museveni another five year term, which will see him lead the East African country for 30 years.