Kenya cautions foreigners against interfering with polls

NAIROBI – The Kenya government on Monday cautioned the international community against interfering with Kenya's upcoming general elections slated for March 4.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

NAIROBI – The Kenya government on Monday cautioned the international community against interfering with Kenya's upcoming general elections slated for March 4. Minister of Foreign Affairs Professor Sam Ongeri told journalists in Nairobi that remarks on the International Criminal Court (ICC) attributed to European Union (EU) envoys in Kenya are clearly inflammatory and could have the effect of polarizing the country. "The forthcoming elections are heavily contested and statements warning Kenyans that the poll results if in favor of certain candidates would have consequences and could amount to taking sides," Ongeri said after a meeting with the EU ambassador in Kenya. The statement comes after the United States, Britain and France cautioned Kenyans against voting presidential candidates facing war crime charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC), warning the choice could have "consequences." The charges facing presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta and his running mate William Ruto stem from the 2007/2008 post election violence in which 1,200 people were killed and 650,000 displaced from their homes. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State in charge of Africa Johnnie Carson last Thursday warned Kenyans that the choice they will make on March 4 will have consequences, a similar remark that were attributed to British and French envoys in Kenya.