Kenya unhappy over ‘interference’ in internal affairs

The UK has responded to the Kenyan Government's accusations that it, along with other foreign envoys, interfered with the country’s internal affairs by issuing a joint statement calling for the protection of protesters ahead of the 25 June demonstrations. The statement by the envoys, drew sharp criticism from senior Kenyan Government officials, including top Interior Ministry leaders, according to a report in the Kenyans. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen slammed the international community and the church over their alleged partisanship on Kenyan political developments following the deadly protests witnessed last Wednesday. He said interference in Kenya's political matters were done without due diligence. But in an interview on NTV, UK Deputy High Commissioner Dr Ed Barnett defended the joint statement by ambassadors and high commissioners, maintaining that it was issued in good faith to encourage peaceful demonstrations and support the protection of human rights. He said it was not an attempt to meddle in Kenya’s internal matters.

He explained that the UK often holds both public and private engagements with Kenya on issues such as human rights and governance. ‘As a close ally and partner to Kenya, part of that relationship involves sometimes having difficult conversations with a close friend. Some of those discussions are held privately, and others – where necessary – are made public,' Barnett said. Additionally, Barnett pointed out that diplomatic missions were compelled to speak out after observing repeated violations of human rights, including the controversial death of blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody. The Kenyans note that the US, UK and Germany, among other foreign diplomats, had warned against the use of goons and masked police officers during protests in a statement just hours before the planned protests. Meanwhile, the Nairobi hawker shot at close range, allegedly by police during protests over Ojwang’s death, has been declared brain dead, reports africanews. Doctors at Kenyatta National Hospital revealed that 22-year-old Boniface Kariuki's family on Sunday said that his brainstem was no longer functioning. He is believed to have been caught up in a confrontation with two officers in Nairobi as hundreds of protesters clashed with police. One officer, who had concealed his face with a mask, allegedly shot him at close range in the head as he walked away.