President Uhuru Kenyatta during a press conference in Nairobi on November 7, 2017. [PHOTO/the-star.co.ke]
Controversy is beginning to build over President Uhuru Kenyatta's congratulatory messages after reports indicated they are being solicited.
According to the Star, Kenyan diplomats are said to be asking their countries of residence to send the congratulations to legitimise Uhuru's face as president across the globe.
The controversy began on Tuesday after Britain sent its message through the office of their Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.
"Britain Congratulates @PresidentKE @UKenyatta on his re-election through UK Foreign Secretary @BorisJohnson. CS @AMB_A_Mohammed confirms," the presidential press service tweeted on Monday.
It is said Kenya's Foreign Affairs CS Amina Mohamed asked for the message moments after the Supreme Court upheld Uhuru's win in the repeat October 26 election.
A UK publication said Amina had spoken to Johnson beforehand.
"We are grateful to our partners and friends who encouraged us along the way and congratulated us immediately the race was over," she is quoted as saying.
Presently, Uganda, China, Bangladesh, and South Sudan have congratulated Uhuru.