Uhuru to seek global support for UN seat bid
Eric Wainaina and Seth Onyango
President Uhuru Kenyatta will go on a charm offensive to woo world leaders to support Kenya’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
State House announced the President is keen to mobilise support for the country’s bid as world leaders converge for the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York with debates set to start next week.
“While in the US, the President is expected to intensify Kenya’s campaign for the non-permanent seat on the UNSC for which the country recently secured the backing of the African Union,” State House Spokesperson Kanza Dena said in a statement to newsrooms.
Uhuru will later this week speak at the Singapore Summit, a forum that brings together governments, private sector and thought leaders from around the world to discuss global trends in business, finance and geopolitics.
Established in 2012, the Singapore Summit is a key platform for shared Asian perspectives on global issues, and one where ideas on deeper partnerships between the public, private and people sectors are developed and shared.
He is attending the summit at the invitation of Prime Minister Lee Hsein Loong of Singapore and will speak about Kenya’s growth trajectory and opportunities for growth in East Africa.
Kenya is banking on her strong engagement in the search for peace and security in Africa and globally through the African Union and “commitment to Pan-Africanism”, to up her chances of representing AU in the non-permanent category of the UNSC.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma seeks to consolidate African countries’ support for Kenya upon Eritrea rescinding its decision not to contest the UNSC seat after it was floored by Kenya in elections last month.
Ability to serve
Juma made Kenya’s prayers before the chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki, her Ethiopian counterpart Gedu Andargachew and other representatives from the member nations on Monday, where she demonstrated Kenya’s readiness and ability to serve in the post.
“I take this opportunity to confirm to you all our readiness to serve in the council in the pursuit of international peace and security, with an eye focused on and drawn from our continent,” she said.
