The United States of America expressed support for the unity pact between President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga and asked the two to have an inclusive implementation of the peace agreement.
Outgoing US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec praised the peace agreement by the two leaders and termed it an important step forward for the country.
Godec, who spoke at the Kisii County Governor’s office, asserted that the US government was interested in the political developments in the country.
“The US is very strongly supportive of the handshake that took place between President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. This was a very important step forward for Kenya,” Godec stated.
[caption caption="US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec "]
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Godec further recommended stakeholder involvement in the implementation of good governance, justice for civil society groups and dealing with corruption.
“What is now important is that the handshake deal with the ongoing challenges facing the country and everyone knows what they are," the envoy remarked.
These are issues on governance, corruption, protecting institutions to ensure they can deliver what the Kenyan people want. The US will be there supporting this process provided it's inclusive and it deals with the real issues,” he added.
Kisii County Senator Professor Sam Ongeri echoed Godec’s sentiments noting that the country was in dire need of reconciliation and healing if potential economic progress was to be realized.
“On behalf of my colleagues from Nyamira County, we fully support the handshake because we believe for us to be able to make meaningful progress, we need to now deal with the issues ailing this country,” Professor Ongeri stated.
[caption caption="President Kenyatta with opposition leader Raila Odinga"]
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He further remarked that the gesture by President Kenyatta and Raila would help minimize the political friction arising from the electoral cycle the country has just come out of.
