Foreign Heads of Mission to Kenya have expressed disappointment over President Uhuru Kenyatta's 53rd Jamhuri Day claims that foreign states through International Organisations, were pouring money in Kenya to influence the August 8, 2017 general elections.
Led by US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec, the envoys said they do not provide electoral assistance to any organisation, whether governmental or non-governmental, to influence the upcoming polls or support any political party, or candidate.
"To be clear, we do not provide electoral assistance to any organization, governmental or non-governmental, to influence the election results for any side, political party, or candidate. Rather, our assistance supports the Kenyan people to independently exercise their right to vote and have their voice heard,'' said the envoys.
They said their Countries support Kenyans to independently exercise their right to vote and have their voice heard, adding that Kenyans have the sovereign right to choose their leaders, and their Countries fully respect the right.
"As long-time partners, our countries support the Kenyan government and people as they seek to realize the goals of the 2010 Constitution and Kenya’s Vision 2030. We are committed to helping Kenya to hold free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections in 2017, and to provide non-partisan technical assistance to government institutions and civil society.''
In a joint statement signed by 11 envoys, they said they operate with full transparency, in accordance with bilateral agreements.
"We provide our electoral assistance to support the Kenyan people in making their choices freely in an environment of transparency and peace. As close friends of Kenya, our electoral assistance is just one small part of a very much larger partnership in which we work together every day on education, health, security, the environment, and economic development.''
Other envoys who signed the Tuesday statement include: Mette Knudsen (Ambassador of Denmark), Stefano Dejak (Ambassador, European Union Delegation to Kenya), Frans Makken (Ambassador of the Netherlands), Tarja Fernández (Ambassador of Finland), and John Murton (Chargé d’Affaires a.i., for the United Kingdom).
Others include Victor Conrad Rønneberg (Ambassador of Norway), Johan Borgstam (Ambassador of Sweden), John Feakes (High Commissioner for Australia), Jutta Frasch (Ambassador of Germany) and Sara Hradecky (High Commissioner of Canada).