Thursday, February 9, 2012

We won't meddle in Kenya affairs, says UK



By MOSES NJAGIH

The British Government has no interest meddling Kenya's internal affairs ahead of the General Election likely to be held later this year or early next year, British High Commissioner Peter Tibber has said.
Dr Tibber said although his country was keen on ensuring relevant local institutions are strengthened and empowered to return peaceful, transparent and credible elections, such support should not be misconstrued as interference.
He revealed his country was working with different groups to ensure a peaceful atmosphere ahead of the polls.
The envoy said Britain was keen on the ongoing electoral reforms in Kenya, which he said should ensure a solid platform for a credible elections. But he was quick to say they will not impose anything on Kenyans who hold the sovereign power to elect leaders of their choice.
Standard Group Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Paul Melly presents a gift to British High Commissioner to Kenya, Peter Tibber, at Group’s Mombasa Road offices, Wednesday. [PHOTO: JENNIFER WACHIE/STANDARD]
"We are working on the process and not the results. We do not have any candidate we are supporting because that is the sole responsibility of Kenyans," Tibber.
He was speaking at the Standard Group Centre, when he paid a courtesy call on the Group Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Paul Melly.
The ambassador came to the defence of his country’s Foreign Secretary William Hague whose recent remarks on Kenya’s political affairs ilicited controversy among policitians. Some political leaders claimed the sentiments amounted to interference on Kenya’s internal affairs.
During a recent visit, Mr Hague cautioned Kenya’s image at the international community would be tainted if Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto, who are facing criminal charges at The Hague, would be allowed to contest the presidency.
Politicians allied to the two politicians termed the sentiments patronising and imperialistic, claiming the international community was using the ICC charges to ensure the two are locked out of the presidential race.
No Favourite candidate
But Tibber dismissed the claims.
"It is not true we have a favourite candidate. Our interest is to ensure the country embraces a political process which is successful," he said
Mr Melly said Kenya needs systems that can guarantee democratic and credible elections.
"From voter registration, all way through, it is critical to ensure the systems in place are up to the task," he said.
He added that the media, as the custodian of information for Kenyans, must play its roles in civic education, sensitising voters on their rights and duties. He advised the media to act without bias in covering and reporting of the elections.
"We must ensure we offer fair and accurate information in our coverage of elections and avoid being used to cause disharmony. We must ensure the content we give the public offers a fair platform for all," said Melly.
Prior to the elections, the media must offer room for a healthy debate to give the electorate a fair platform to assess candidates and make informed choices, he advised.

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