Delaware Senator Chris Coons, on Wednesday, April 19, dismissed reports that America was pushing for a specific agenda in President William Ruto's administration.
In an interview, Coon indicated that he met with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
He held different talks with the three leaders revolving around future elections.
" I had the opportunity to have, I hope, some positive and productive personal conversations with the deputy president, with the former prime minister and with the former president, to help them hear each other and to act as an intermediary," Coon stated during the Voice of America's (VOA) interview.
"I think central is the path forward for the (electoral commission). That is critical to there being in the future free and fair elections in Kenya," he added.
Besides advocating for free and fair future elections, Coon noted that he lobbied the three leaders to engage in positive dialogue to preserve Kenya's democracy.
Coon indicated that he also challenged Gachagua, Uhuru and Raila to create space for a legitimate opposition.
Additionally, Coon pushed the three leaders to work towards economic recovery and allowing President Ruto to deliver on his campaign pledges.
"The United States is not trying to push any specific outcome or alignment of this government," the Delaware senator insisted.
"We're simply trying to help you hear each other and recognize that democracy is fragile, is difficult, and requires there being space for a legitimate opposition to be heard, for complaints and concerns about the economy about the election to be heard, and for the duly elected president of the country to be able to lead the country forward," he further reiterated.
Gachagua cornering Coon
On Sunday, April 16, Gachagua revealed that he challenged Coon over his push for a dialogue between the Kenya Kwanza government and Azimio la Umoja.
The former Mathira MP cornered the senator to explain why President Joe Biden's administration did not invite his predecessor Donald Trump after their fallout.
"I told him yes, I would also want for peace to prevail in Kenya but in the US, after Trump lost and there was a lot of unrest, why did you not invite him and give him half the government?" Gachagua posed.
"I told him to tell Raila that we would not sit down for talks and that if he wants to talk to us, he should talk to his MPs to talk to our MPs (in Parliament)," he added.
His contribution to Kenya is immense, as he reportedly engineered a handshake between former President Uhuru and Raila in 2018.
