The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Secretary General, Cleophas Malala, has alleged that the party has begun the process to petition the United Nations to block President William Ruto from addressing the upcoming UN General Assembly.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Thursday, August 21, Malala alleged that President Ruto is not well-placed to address the world on matters related to human rights.
According to Malala, the petition accuses the president of presiding over a regime marked by judicial killings and unlawful state detentions.
‘’We have petitioned the UN for him not to address the UN on matters of human rights because he has been at the forefront to ensure that he executes extrajudicial killings and warrants an illegal state detention,’’ the former Kakamega Senator said.
According to Malala, plans are underway to collect over 10 million signatures from Kenyans to support their petition and ensure that the UN does not allow the President to address the summit.
‘’We have also announced plans to gather 10 million signatures from Kenyans to petition the UN General Assembly to bar him from speaking on human rights issues,’’ Malala continued.
Each September, world leaders convene at UN Headquarters in New York City for the UN General Assembly. For decades, UNGA has remained an essential forum to address the world’s most pressing challenges.
The 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 80) will officially open on Tuesday, September 9. The first day of the high-level General Debate will be Tuesday, September 23, running until September 27, with the summit wrapping up on September 29.
In addition to the General Debate, which features addresses by world leaders, the General Assembly will hold its fourth high-level meeting on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health, a high-level meeting on the 30th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, and a high-level meeting on the 30th Anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth.
President Ruto has always attended UNGA summits, and in his capacity as Head of State, he has had opportunities to address leaders on important topics affecting the world.
Ruto is expected to fly to the summit in what will be his first trip to the US under President Donald Trump’s administration.
His attendance is a pivotal move for Kenya, especially after the latest developments that Kenya is currently facing, a proposed review of its designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally of the United States.
