US Senator Chris Coons (D-De) lead a US goodwill delegation to meet with Kenyan leaders Thursday. The meeting came amid the fallout caused by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati declaring Deputy President William Ruto the winner of the just-concluded presidential election.
Coons, accompanied by US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman and several others, took meetings with President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House Nairobi, Ruto at his Karen residence office, and Azimio la Umoja Presidential ticket of Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua.
The parties did not divulge details about the discussion but tweeted in general terms.
“We held candid discussions on developments around our general election and bilateral relations with the Congressional delegation of the US Senate and House of Representatives. We reiterated our commitment to pursuing legal means to resolve issues around the election results,” Odinga said in a tweet.
“Held talks with Congressional Delegation from the United States led by Delaware Senator Chris Andrew Coons in the company of US Ambassador at the Karen Office, Nairobi County,” Ruto tweeted. “The talks touched on the just concluded elections in the country and areas of cooperation between Kenya and the United States. We commit to deepen relations and further partnership for the mutual benefit of the citizens of the two countries.”
At State House, Nairobi, the delegation sat with President Kenyatta and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo, among other Kenyan government officials. This was the first time Kenyatta has been seen in public since the August 9 elections and Chebukati announcing Ruto as the winner. Ruto’s running mate Rigathi Gachagua, revealed that Kenyatta has not called Ruto.
A State House readout about the meeting said Kenyatta and the US delegation praised each other, with Coons commending Kenyatta for maintaining peace in Kenya during the electioneering period and Kenyatta affirming he has a desire for Kenya to remain peaceful after his retirement.
The meeting is significant and shows the US views Kenya as an important ally. Hailing from Delaware, Coons is considered a close ally and confidant of US President Joe Biden. He replaced Biden in the Senate after then-Senator Barack Obama tapped Biden as his running mate in the 2008 US Presidential election.
Despite Chebukati naming Ruto as the President-Elect, the US has not sent a congratulatory message to Ruto or recognized him as the incoming president, maybe awaiting the Supreme Court ruling on a petition Odinga is expected to file Monday challenging Ruto’s election.
Kenyans have generally maintained peace despite tension around the country as many await the final resolution.