Western envoys urge Kenya opposition to recognise Kenyatta

2018-02-11 13:56

Uhuru Kenyatta. (File, AFP)

Nairobi - Eleven western envoys, including those from the US and Britain, are urging Kenya's opposition leader to recognise President Uhuru Kenyatta as the country's legitimately elected leader.

In a statement issued on Sunday the diplomats said Odinga needs to accept Kenyatta is president "as the basis for the dialogue that it and many Kenyans want." Opposition leader Raila Odinga held a mock inauguration last week in which he was sworn in as the "people's president." The government reacted by shutting down some broadcasters and arresting some participants.

Odinga charges he was cheated of victory in the August election by hackers who altered the vote. Kenya's Supreme Court nullified that election after Odinga challenged Kenyatta's win. The court ordered a fresh election which Odinga boycotted saying significant electoral reforms were needed.

KEEP UPDATED on the latest news from around the continent by subscribing to our FREE newsletter, Hello Africa.

FOLLOW News24 Africa on Twitter and Facebook. 

Join the conversation!

24.com encourages commentary submitted via MyNews24. Contributions of 200 words or more will be considered for publication.

We reserve editorial discretion to decide what will be published.
Read our comments policy for guidelines on contributions.