WASHINGTON – Last week, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) travelled to Kenya to meet with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to discuss the current political crisis and share his concerns that growing political tensions and violence threaten peace and progress in Kenya. U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman joined him in all conversations and emphasized the strong partnership between the United States and Kenya. Kenya has become an important hub for investment, as seen in last week’s successful economic conference, and continuing to uphold the rule of law and avoiding ongoing political violence will be critical to Kenya’s economic growth and opportunities.
In the meetings, Senator Coons observed that democracy in America has also experienced many challenges, including recent ongoing disputes about election results and post-election violence. Understanding the importance of electoral integrity, he encouraged all sides in Kenya to find a path forward on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and recognize the role of a strong, effective opposition in a multiparty system. Senator Coons also expressed concern to government officials about the reports of excessive force by police and attacks on journalists. He urged them to seek accountability for such attacks and the destruction of property, including that belonging to Kenyatta and Odinga, and urged Odinga and leaders of the Azimio political alliance to address their concerns through legal pathways and ensure their supporters protest peacefully.
Both Kenyan President William Ruto and Odinga made important public statements yesterday committing to negotiations to seek a peaceful resolution to ongoing political tensions. Ruto committed to addressing concerns about the IEBC and negotiating a path forward for Azimio to serve as an effective opposition. Odinga welcomed Ruto’s outreach and agreed to suspend planned demonstrations for the coming week. Senator Coons expressed his gratitude to all parties and his belief that to preserve and strengthen democracy, political leaders must put the public’s interest above their own, demonstrate respect for fundamental rights, and protect space for criticism and dissent. He stated, “I encourage all parties to seek reconciliation and find ways to constructively and meaningfully engage each other on the challenges facing Kenya.”