UN boss congratulates Kenya on poll

President elect Uhuru Kenyatta (right) with his deputy William Ruto after addressing the nation on March 9, 2013 at the Catholic University. Photo/DIANA NGILA  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By KEVIN J KELLEY
Posted  Sunday, March 10  2013 at  15:12

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon refrained on Saturday from extending congratulations to Uhuru Kenyatta on his declared election as president of Kenya.

A statement by Mr Ban's spokesman said the UN chief "has noted the results" of Kenya's election.

But the statement added that Mr Ban "congratulates the people of Kenya for their impressive determination to participate peacefully in the elections, and for the patience they have demonstrated while awaiting the results."

The UN chief's response was similar to that of US Secretary of State John Kerry, who also did not congratulate Mr Kenyatta in a statement on Saturday but did congratulate Kenyans on conducting a peaceful poll.

The United Nations thus joins powerful Western nations in declining to offer a figurative handshake to Mr Kenyatta.

The charges of crimes against humanity brought by the International Criminal Court against Mr Kenyatta and his running mate, William Ruto, account for the cold-shoulder response to the Jubilee team's victory.

The UN chief did speak with Mr Kenyatta and with Prime Minister Raila Odinga by telephone on Friday.

According to his spokesman, Mr Ban "reiterated his call for both leaders to send clear messages of calm to their supporters, and he reminded them of the commitments they have made throughout this process to channel any electoral grievances through the established legal avenues."