Kenya’s US envoy rejects TNA accusations

By KEVIN J KELLEY New York  ( email the author)

Posted  Sunday, February 10  2013 at  00:30

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Kenya’s US ambassador on Saturday rejected suggestions by The National Alliance that he met with the State Department’s top Africa official on Tuesday to discuss a US statement delivered on Thursday that was regarded as being critical of TNA’s presidential candidate.

Speaking to the Nation by phone from Las Vegas where he is attending matches of Kenya’s rugby sevens team, Ambassador Elkanah Odembo said his meeting with Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson actually took place on Wednesday, February 6 and focused on matters unrelated to Mr Carson’s comments the next day.

In a conference call with reporters, Mr Carson repeatedly cautioned Kenyan voters that their “choices have consequences.” His remarks have been interpreted as a warning that US relations with Kenya would be negatively affected by an election victory for the Jubilee coalition whose leaders Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto have been charged at the International Criminal Court with crimes against humanity.

Ambassador Odembo said he had requested the meeting at Mr Carson’s State Department office primarily to discuss a Kenyan’s candidacy for the top job at the World Trade Organisation.

Amina Mohamed, deputy director of the UN Environmental Programme, is seeking international support in a competition that will be decided in late May.

Ambassador Odembo also dismissed an indirect charge by TNA that he favours a particular candidate in Kenya’s presidential race.

“I am in the United States on behalf of the government and the people of Kenya,” the envoy told the Nation. “I am not here campaigning for any individual running for any office in the Republic of Kenya.”

Ambassador Odembo said he also thanked Mr Carson during the Wednesday meeting for President Obama’s comments on Tuesday regarding the importance of conducting a peaceful poll next month.

Three other State Department officials were present during the meeting in Mr Carson’s sixth-floor office at the State Department, Ambassador Odembo said. He made that point in response to the claim by TNA Secretary General Onyango Oloo that no State Department representative was on hand during his talk with Mr Carson.