Jubilee Coalition supporters celebrate in Eldoret town after the Supreme
Court upheld Uhuru Kenyatta's election as Kenya's president on March
30, 2013. Photo/JARED NYATAYA
NATION MEDIA GROUP
Daily Nation
03/31/2013
The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has congratulated Uhuru Kenyatta for his election as Kenya's fourth President.
Mr Ban spoke to Mr Kenyatta on phone on Saturday and wished the newly-elected government well.
He also also spoke with Prime Minister Raila
Odinga and commended him for his acceptance of the Supreme Court's
ruling that confirmed his defeat in the presidential election.
"The secretary-general wishes the newly-elected
government and people of Kenya every success in meeting the many
challenges and opportunities facing Kenya," the UN spokesman said in a
written statement. "The United Nations pledges its strong support."
UN reaction to the confirmation of Mr Kenyatta's victory was consistent with that of the United States and United Kingdom.
No mention was made in the UN statement of
President-elect Kenyatta's indictment by the International Criminal
Court on charges of crimes against humanity.
The statement carried no suggestion that Mr Kenyatta's legal status would affect UN-Kenya relations.
"The secretary-general reiterates his
congratulations to the people of Kenya on the holding of peaceful,
credible elections that should strengthen Kenya's democracy and its
unity," the statement added.
"He urges that continued calm and a peaceful atmosphere prevail."
The Chinese Embassy in Kenya also congratulated Mr Kenyatta after the Supreme Court upheld his election.
"We want to congratulate H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta once
again on being elected President of Kenya. We are confident that the
Kenyan people will respect the ruling of the Supreme Court, and will
achieve a new success on the road of national construction under the
leadership of H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta and the new government of Kenya," said
Mr Wu Shifan, the Chinese Embassy spokesman.
"China and Kenya have maintained profound
traditional friendship. China attaches great importance to the
development of the long-term friendly relations and cooperation with
Kenya. We are ready to work with the new government of Kenya to deepen
the mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas between the two
countries, and to push forward the bilateral relations to a higher level
for the benefits of the two peoples," he added.
Also, Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud noted that his government will work cordially with Uhuru's government.
“The outcome of the elections is indicative of the
will and choice of the Kenyan general public entrusting you with their
future. Also, we belief that the brotherly and friendly relations and
cooperation that exist between Somalia and Kenya will continues to
expand into the future,” he said in a statement.