A section of Kenyans mistakenly turned on Ambassador Monica Juma after the Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary shared a list of new non-permanent members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council.
Juma had taken to Twitter to congratulate Tunisia, Niger, Vietnam, Estonia and Saint Vincent & Grenadines who will sit on the security council for the 2020-2021 period.
A section of Kenyans who had followed news of Kenya's bid for a seat on the council quickly reacted, questioning why Kenya did not make it despite huge sums of money spent on international lobbying.
They, however, failed to realise that the countries listed in Juma's tweet were elected by UN member states in June 2019 to serve on the council in the 2020-2021 period. The new council members officially took their seats on 3rd January, prompting Juma's post.
"Your election makes the composition of the UNSC truly representational. You can count on the full support of Kenya during your tenure. It is our earnest hope that we shall have the opportunity to serve with you all on the council in 2021," Juma had written.
Thinking Kenya had failed in its mission to secure a seat on the council, some netizens lambasted the national government for what they thought to be a futile campaign.
"How many Thika roads were used for lobbying?" asked Steve Jumaa
"How on earth could we possibly lose this in spite of massive LOBBYING. SAD," Odiwa Jack reacted.
"Kenya loses bid launched on 7th November 2019 in New York for the Non-Permanent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) seat for the period 2021/22. Curious to know how many billions we spent on this quest," posted Leon Lidigu.
Juma was forced to respond clarifying that Kenya was still on course to securing the seat with elections scheduled for June 2020. If successful, Kenya will take its place on the council in January 2021.
The country had already gained an endorsement from the African Union (AU) to go for the post but will be up against Djibouti who had vowed to continue lobbying UN member states directly.
"Kenya’s bid for the UNSC is on and alive. Elections will be held in June 2020. Joining of the council happens every January, and is based on regional representation. We continue to enjoy goodwill from across the world and remain very hopeful of clinching the vote." Juma wrote after initial reactions to her post.
Below is a sample of some of the responses to Juma's original tweet.
