Uhuru campaigns for Kenya in bid for UN Security Council seat

President Uhuru Kenyatta has made a final pitch for Kenya in a bid to clinch the non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council as a representative for Eastern Africa. In a virtual campaign meeting with permanent representatives of various countries to the UN, President Kenyatta reiterated that Kenya will advance the pan-Africanist agenda of global peace, solidarity and multilateralism if elected to the seat. In his pitch, President Kenyatta illustrated that Kenya had proven its commitment to peace in the region by contributing troops to peacekeeping interventions.

”A vote for Kenya is a vote for peace. A vote for Kenya is a vote for global solidarity. A vote for Kenya is a vote for multilateralism”. 

A vote for Kenya🇰🇪 is a vote for global peace, President Kenyatta says as he makes final pitch for UN Security Council seathttps://t.co/ekQtacPG5S pic.twitter.com/0uUOdLgrTK

— State House Kenya (@StateHouseKenya) June 17, 2020

The Head of State also thanked the AU for its endorsement and urged representatives to consider Kenya’s track record of democracy, respect for human rights and solidarity as they vote today.

“I want to begin by first and foremost thanking the African Union and all African nations for the support and the believe in Kenya being able to advocate the African cause, the cause of Pan-Africanism, the cause of peace, the cause of global solidarity, the call for multilateralism,” he said

Kenya was endorsed by the African Union last year and is vying against Djibouti. However, Djibouti has since written to the AU demanding that the endorsement be reconsidered. Nonetheless, concerns have been raised about Djibouti’s candidature because if elected, Africa will be represented by three francophone countries in 2021 including Niger and Tunisia.

Opposition Chief Raila Odinga, who also doubles up as a special envoy to the AU also lobbied for Kenya, reiterating that Kenya has proven its mettle by serving the community of nations with dedication and grace, hosting refugees, sending peace-keepers to troubled lands and ensuring regional stability.

Kenya has served the community of nations with dedication and grace; hosting refugees, sending peace keepers to troubled lands, ensuring regional stability. Our Athletes are a shared Pride. We seek to continue this tradition of service via a UN seat. May the World stand with Us.

— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) June 17, 2020

Kenya launched its campaign in August 2019, extending its pitch throughout the African continent and lobbying several countries to back its bid.