Secretary-General congratulates new Kenyan President

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has congratulated Uhuru Kenyatta on his election as President of Kenya. 

The Secretary-General urged Kenyans to remain calm following a decision by the country’s top court that settled the ballot win.

In a separate phone conversation, the Secretary-General commended Mr. Kenyatta’s rival, 

Prime Minister Raila Odinga, for participating in the political process and accepting the decision of the Kenyan Supreme Court.

 Earlier on Saturday, the Kenyan Supreme Court upheld Mr. Kenyatta’s victory with approximately 50.1 per cent of the vote. Mr. Odinga, who received 43.3 per cent, had challenged the result on grounds that it was flawed and marred by technical challenges. He has since said that he will abide with the judgment.

The Secretary-General reiterated his congratulations to the people of Kenya on the holding of peaceful, credible elections that should strengthen Kenya’s democracy and its unity. He also urged that continued calm and a peaceful atmosphere prevail.

The Secretary-General wishes the newly-elected government and people of Kenya every success in meeting the many challenges and opportunities facing Kenya. The United Nations pledges its strong support.

The election was the first presidential polls in Kenya since the December 2007 vote, which was followed by post-election violence in which more than 1,100 people were killed, 3,500 injured and up to 600,000 forcibly displaced.

UNRadio