Kenya has explained why its officials were absent during Thursday’s voting by the United Nations on the decision by the United States President Donald Trump to recognise Jerusalem as Israeli capital.
Kenya is one of the countries who did not take part in the vote where UN member states resoundingly voted against President Trump’s position.
Of the 193-member General Assembly, 128 voted against US decision, nine supported it, while 35 abstained. Countries who voted in support of the US include, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau and Togo and US.
Argentina, Australia, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, Romania and Rwanda are among countries who abstained.
Kenya was among 21 countries who never took part in the voting. In Africa, only Togo voted with the US. Kenya’s neighbours Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi were present but abstained, while Tanzania and Somalia voted for the motion.
Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the UN Macharia Kamau dismissed claims that the country deliberately skipped the session out of fear that US could cut aid to Kenya. Kamau said the Kenyan mission to UN had already taken a Christmas holiday recess by the time the sitting was convened. He noted Kenya would have abstained had it been represented.
“Mission had registered as closed as 20/12/17 prior to call of vote and [United States Ambassador to the United Nations] Nikki Haley’s threats. And by the way, Kenya policy is to abstain in Country Specific votes with the exception of Palestine and Cuba,” Kamau said.
He added, “That is Kenya’s normal voting pattern. Specific to Palestine. The Thursday vote was specific to the US. If the mission was open we would have abstained.”
Mr. Macharia!!!! and why…
Mr. Macharia!!!! and why would Kenya have abstained if it was represented?? I am ashamed of Uhuru government for the first time. You develop cold feet because you were bullied by US. Shame on you.
@Anonymous, the reason why…
@Anonymous, the reason why Kenya would have abstained were it present at the voting is given right there in front of your nose; “because we do not vote on country specific motions…”. If you were sitting for the KCSE this year, another D- or below would have been registered.
“…Kenya policy is to…
“…Kenya policy is to abstain in Country Specific votes with the exception of Palestine and Cuba,” Me Kamau said. Right in front of your damn nose. They have eyes but they can’t see. Is it Jesus who said that?
“…Kenya policy is to…
“…Kenya policy is to abstain in Country Specific votes with the exception of Palestine and Cuba,” Mr Kamau said. Right in front of your damn nose. They have eyes but they can’t see. Is it Jesus who said that?
Kenya is a sovereign state…
Kenya is a sovereign state and owes no explaining to anyone why it abstained from the UN vote. Jerusalem is the eternal undivided capital of Israel and will remain so until the end of time.
Kenya is a sovereign state…
Kenya is a sovereign state and will not support any apartheid state like Israel
Anyway we are not fools to be dragged into Israel war
You need to understand Israel Will only survive if they embraces rainbow nation where Israel and Palestinians have equal rights
How convenient. Kenya is…
How convenient. Kenya is Israel’s B but they didn’t want to face the wrath of Africa by siding with USA. How pathetic is that!
Pathetic? Kenyans are…
Pathetic? Kenyans are equally divided on this issue. Not everyone supports Israel’s claim. And the US is a BULLY – you don’t support us, we won’t forget when you (UN) when it requests the US for budgetary support – Nikki Haley. This is part of the uncouth culture from Washington. And it didn’t start with Trump. Back in 2002, the US admin went around the world dangling carrots & stick to countries that had ratified the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC), forcing them to agree they wouldn’t comply with the body in the event where the US military was involved. That’s why it’s absolutely stupid for countries like Kenya to continue with ICC membership when some countries behave like they are superior to others (Russia & China too) The issue has committed untold crimes to citizens in Iraq, Libya and elsewhere and nobody can bring them to account. That’s why I (and many others) wholly support North Korea’s nuclear ambitions endeavors
Kumbe Kaka Matiang’i…
Kumbe Kaka Matiang’i aliamrisha sikukuu nyingine ya wafanyi kazi wa Umoja wa Mataifa!
Huenda mwaka wote wa 2018 Matiang’i akaufanya kuwa sikukuu kwa Wakenya wote. Huyu ndugu yetu (Matyiang’i) anapenda sikukuu sana.
Ilikuwaje Kaka Macharia kuchukua likizo wakati wa kura muhimu sana kama hiyo? Mimi si Mwislamu wala Mkristo, lakini ni lazima niwaonee huruma watu wote wanaonyanyaswa na kusumbuliwa na wachache walio na nguvu duniani kote.
Nchi ya Palestina ilichukuliwa kwa mabavu na ndugu zetu wa Kiyahudi. Ni lazima dunia yote ichukue msimamo wa Palestina kwa kuwa hata sisi watu wa Kenya tulikuwa kwenye hali hiyo mbaya kama ya Wapalestina tulipotawaliwa na Waingereza.
how on earth can Kenya, a…
how on earth can Kenya, a sovereign state side with a country that destroyed Libya. Hate America decisions but love american people
What’s sure is u vote or not…
What’s sure is u vote or not Jerusalem will remain the Capital of Palestine…
no doubt.