Sunday, May 5, 2013

Why Britain Planned Uhuru Visit



President Uhuru Kenyatta (second left) joins other Heads of States and Government in a group photo after the 21st Extraordinary Summmit of regional heads in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Others in the picture include (left to right) President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud of Somalia, Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and South Sudan President Silva Kiir
UK, the United States and several Europeannations initially only congratulated the people ofKenya on a successful election, but withheld directcongratulation messages to Uhuru
The visit to Britain by President Uhuru Kenyatta that starts this morning is understood to have come about as a result of intense pressure from within the UK government to mend relations with Kenya to the level that existed before retired
President Mwai Kibaki took power. Government sources People that insiders in the Uhuru administration were puzzled in the past few weeks by what appeared like a complete about-turn by the UK government, which had initially shown thinly-veiled contempt against an Uhuru and William Ruto election victory.
UK, the United States and several European nations initially only congratulated the people of Kenya on a successful election, but withheld direct congratulation messages for Uhuru.
However, last week, a diplomatic shift appeared to have been initiated by London as British High Commissioner Christian Turner was hosted by Uhuru at State House and personally handed him the invitation message by Prime Minister David Cameron.
Sources in government said Turner had been kept waiting for a while for the appointment, as Uhuru had been going through a hectic schedule of forming his government.
In March, soon after Uhuru was declared the winner, Members of Parliament in the British House of Commons debated the Kenyan question, with many lambasting their government for following a policy that favoured one side in the Kenyan elections and ignoring the one that had high prospects of victory.
Many MPs pressured their government to mend fences with Uhuru, despite his indictment at the International Criminal Court (ICC), which had been their bone of contention with his government. Several blamed their man in Nairobi, Turner, who was accused of having gone too far to express support for the presidential poll loser Raila. They argued Uhuru would easily follow the way of his predecessor and do business with China and other willing nations, shutting out Britain from their erstwhile East African ally.
Indeed, sources had last week indicated that UK was contemplating recalling Turner to convince Uhuru they were serious to win his heart.
The opportunity to invite Uhuru, without seeming to bend backwards, presented itself in the London Somalia conference that brings together world leaders to discuss the perennial problem of the Horn of Africa nation.
While in London the President will also meet Kenyans living in UK as well as encourage investors to set shop in Kenya.
It was yet to be confirmed yesterday, but sources said Cameron could invite Uhuru to Number 10 Downing Street, the official PM’s residence, to help thaw ice on the relations further.
Historic ties
UK’s stand on ICC indictees had earlier been limited to ‘essential contacts’, but analysts of the situation now see Britain ready to dispense with its frigid, overbearing attitude to help restore ties with Kenya.
“The London Conference on Somalia will discuss among other things, the Horn of Africa country’s political stability, security, maritime situation, public financial management as well as justice and policing,” stated a PPS statement sent to newsrooms yesterday.
The question of Somalia’s stability has taken prominence in President Uhuru’s first month in office given he just came back from an extraordinary Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) summit on Friday where Somalia was the subject of discussion.
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud himself held talks with Uhuru following his inauguration on April 9 and among the matters discussed was the repatriation of Somali refugees residing in Kenya given the relative calm their homeland is currently experiencing.
According to sources knowledgeable of the President’s itinerary, the London visit will be a “diplomatic coup” on the ICC case, which Uhuru and Ruto have been claiming was stage managed to block their rise to power.
Tharaka Nithi senator Professor Kindiki Kithure said relations between the two countries cannot be sacrificed by any of the two countries.
“The President and Prime Minister Cameron appreciate the two countries share historic ties. That cannot be wished away. The subject matter of the visit, Somalia s stability, is s also important to Kenya’s economic growth,” he said.
A State official added: “There can be no meaningful discussion on Somalia without Kenya’s participation by the highest office in the land. Everyone knows the role Kenya has played in Somalia and it was only decorum to invite the President.”
The individual who requested anonymity said it’s likely the President could make other trips to Europe after Britain give the cue to do business with Kenya. This week on Thursday after arrival from United Kingdom the president will proceed to South Africa where he will sign bilateral agreements with President Jacob Zuma.
Uhuru has already signed a similar agreement with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.
“The President will mainly train his eyes on Africa. If you decipher his speeches he has been calling for removal of non tariff barriers in Africa,” said a source. The British press has been vocal against Uhuru’s visit with Sky News leading in the criticism.
The president’s visit is a departure from his predecessor Mwai Kibaki who had little contact with European heads.

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