Russia Corrects Kanze Dena Over Ukraine War Comment

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on the sidelines of the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi on October 24, 2019.
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets former President Uhuru Kenyatta on the sidelines of the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi on October 24, 2019.
State House Kenya

Update Wednesday March 16 4.30 p.m: The German Embassy in Nairobi has come out to defend Kanze Dena following the statement issued by the Russian Federation through its Nairobi Embassy.

In a response  to its Russian counterpart, the German Embassy notd that her remarks were valid and further defended the move by Ukraine allies to issue sanctions against the Putin-led country.

"You seem to ignore causality: If someone burns down his neighbor’s house and starts killing his family, and fire brigades come to put out the fire - do you blame the fire brigade?

 

"Putin started an illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, the world's breadbasket. Russia’s attack increases prices for all in the world, including Kenyans," wrote the German Embassy in Kenya.


 

The Russian Federation, through its embassy in Nairobi, has responded to comments made by State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena over the sharp increase of the cost of commodities in Kenya.

In a statement issued by the country's Ambassador to Kenya, Dmitry Maksimychev, the Eurasian country stated that Kenya should not blame Russia for the influx in the cost of goods but the United States of America and the European Union and countries allied to Ukraine.

Maksimychev further castigated the sanctions placed on Russia and businessmen allied to President Vladimir Putin - terming them illegal and unfair. 

An image of Russia's Ambassador to Kenya, Dmitry Maksimychev.
An image of Russia's Ambassador to Kenya, Dmitry Maksimychev.
Russian Embassy in Kenya

"The Russian Embassy would like to point out to our Kenyan friends and partners that the real cause of the increase in prices in Africa is not Russia's special military operation in Ukraine but the illegal unilateral sanctions imposed by the US, EU and their followers on Russia," the statement read in part.

During a press interview on Tuesday morning, Kanze blamed the Russia-Ukraine war for the rising cost of exported goods that has spilled over to many sectors of the economy.

"The rising cost of living is not exclusive to Kenya, it is a global phenomenon fueled by numerous external factors among them the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war which has led to a rise in the global price of petroleum, which is a key factor of production," Dena stated.

Kenya had on March 2 voted to condemn the Russian invasion during a United Nations General Assembly meeting - although Nairobi has continued to maintain cordial diplomatic relations with Moscow. 

The statement came a few days after the European Union urged Kenyans on social media to be wary of the content they post on the Ukrainian crisis. 

The German embassy in Nairobi also noted that Kenya had recorded a high number of pro-Russian bots that were spreading anti Ukraine propaganda and other statements in support of the Putin-led country.

Several Kenyan students who were caught up in the Russian invasion have managed to move to safety in Poland, from where they are expected to be flown back to the country.

In a deal signed between the Kenyan and Poland governments, stranded students were allowed safe passage to the latter without visas. The stranded Kenyan students were also allowed to stay in the country for 15 days.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau April 14, 2020.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau April 14, 2020.
File

 

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