The United Nations has confirmed sending former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to mediate in the current political stalemate in Kenya between President Uhuru Kenyatta and NASA leader Raila Odinga.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric, when fielding questions from Inner City Press in Geneva, confirmed that indeed they sent Obasanjo to Kenya.
“As you know, the political situation in Kenya is one we've been following closely, especially the ongoing preparation by the Opposition, the National Super Alliance, for the swearing-in planned for January.
"It's in that context that the Secretary-General asked the former President, Obasanjo who, as you know, is a member of the Secretary-General's High-Level Mediation Panel, to visit Kenya,” stated Dujarric.
[caption caption="UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres spokesman Stephane Dujarric"]
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He maintained that it was important for Kenyans to continue upholding the 2010 Constitution and that the Opposition carried its political activities within the confines of the law.
“We would like to stress the importance of Kenyans working together to strengthen governance, advance inclusive development and uphold human rights and the rule of law,” Dujarric noted.
However, despite the spokesman's confirmation, Jubilee and NASA have denied knowledge that Obasanjo was in the country for mediation.
National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale denied there was such a meeting while State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu declined to respond when asked about the meeting.
“We have not met him and we have no time. Kenya is a sovereign country and not a colony of the UN,” Duale stated.
[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta and NASA leader Raila Odinga share a laugh"]
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Odinga’s aide, Silas Jakakimba, also denied that the special emissary held talks with the four NASA co-principals.
“President Obasanjo is known to travel to Kenya from time to time and it would be highly speculative and inaccurate to peg his visit on mediation talks between Uhuru and Raila if indeed he is around,” Jakakimba stated.
